Dinamo players took the lead in the HNL standings after defeating Slaven Belupo with a convincing 5-2 in the 17th round match in Koprivnica.
Josip Mitrović gave the hosts the lead in the 2nd minute, but Dinamo scored four goals by the end of the half, with Miha Zajc (5, 45+1), Dion Drena Beljo (23) and Ismael Bennacer (35). In the second half, Beljo scored another goal for the "Blues", while Igor Lepinjica scored for the hosts.
With this victory, Dinamo returned to the top of the table with 35 points, one point more than Hajduk, while Belupo is third with 25 points.
It started off great for the hosts. Mitrović scored after just 94 seconds to make it 1-0. Krušelj crossed from the right to an unguarded Mitrović who masterfully beat Filipović. Dinamo equalized just three minutes later. Mišić brilliantly found Bakrar who passed to Zajc who ran into the penalty area and scored to make it 1-1.
Dinamo turned the score around in the 23rd minute, after a corner kick, Ćubelić missed the ball at the near post, which Belja had no difficulty scoring for 2-1. In the 35th minute, the guests scored their third goal. Bennacer fired a great shot from about 20 meters, beating Čović.
The Blues' goal scoring continued in stoppage time when Zajc scored after a cross for a big 4-1. Vinlof crossed from the flank, and the Dinamo midfielder put the ball into the net with his shoulder rather than his head.
As the match continued, Dinamo scored a fifth goal. Hoxha crossed, and Beljo scored his second goal of the match from five meters. In the 75th minute, Jagušić shot, Filopović blocked, and Lepinjica ran up and scored the rebound for the final 2-5.
The round is closed by Istra 1961 - Rijeka.
Dinamo leads the standings with 35 points, Hajduk has 34, followed by Slaven Belupo with 25, and Istra 1961 and Varaždin with 23 points each.
HNL - Round 17: Slaven Belupo - Dinamo 2-5 (Mitrović 2, Lepinjica 75 /Zajc 5, 45+1, Beljo 23, 57, Bennacer 35). Istra 1961 - Rijeka (17.45) On Saturday: Lokomotiva - Hajduk 1-3 (Stojaković 12 / Rebić 27, 73, Šego 54) Osijek - Gorica 1-1 (Matković 82 / Filipović 22) On Friday: Vukovar 1991 - Varaždin 2-0 (Calhanoglu 64, Puljić 69) Standings: 1. Dinamo 17 11 2 4 36-16 35 2. Hajduk 17 10 4 3 27-16 34 3. Slaven Belupo 17 7 4 6 26-28 25 4. Istra 1961 16 6 5 5 20-20 23 5. Varaždin 17 6 5 6 21-22 23 6. Rijeka 16 5 6 5 26-19 21 7. Gorica 17 5 4 8 21-26 19 8. Lokomotiva 17 4 7 6 20-28 19 9. Vukovar 1991 17 3 6 8 18-30 15 10. Osijek 17 2 7 8 16-26 13
Photo: HINA/Damir Senčar
