With an inspired, attractive and brilliant performance, scoring five goals to thunderous applause from the stands, Dinamo's footballers have moved very close to the Champions League play-off. In the first leg of the 3rd qualifying round, coach Mario Kovačević's team defeated Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris 5:0, with five different goalscorers, and will seek confirmation of their progress next Tuesday in the return leg in Lithuania. The overall winner of this tie will face Norwegian side Viking in the final step before the league phase of Europe's elite club competition.

Besides the brilliant performance, this humid but pleasant summer evening was also interesting for several other details: the moment when Miha Zajc scored for 1:0 marked Dinamo's jubilee 150th goal at Maksimir in the European Cup and Champions League system throughout history, including all levels from qualifying rounds and group stage. The Maksimir players came close to equalling the record club victory in Zagreb in European club competitions. They have won twice on this ground with a six-goal margin, and this is the seventh time they have seen off opponents with five goals to spare. The match will also be remembered for the debut appearance of new striker Smail Prevljak who came on from the bench in the closing stages of the match.

Dinamo threatened in the 13th minute, Mateo Lisica played a short pass to Luka Stojković on the right side, he fired sharply from 14 metres, but the goalkeeper saved for a corner.

Dinamo shook the opponent's net twice within a minute and a half. Lisica found Stojković on the right side in the 31st minute, he passed to Zajc who fired first-time from 20 metres from the centre, slightly to the left, the ball hit the near post and rolled behind the goal line. That was, therefore, Dinamo's 150th goal at Maksimir in the European Cup and Champions League system throughout history. Shortly after, Zajc took a corner by playing a short pass, Matteo Perez Vinlöf received it and crossed into the penalty area. There Scott McKenna got a touch in the scramble, the ball then hit Amine Benchaib and deflected into the bottom corner for 2:0.

At the start of the second half, in the 51st minute, the two became three on the scoreboard. Stojković drove the attack on the right side, passed to Sergio Dominguez, who played it back to the advancing Josip Mišić... The Maksimir captain played a low through ball which was cleverly received by Lisica who turned and powerfully and precisely struck with his left foot from 18 metres into the far corner.

Five minutes later Moris Valincić crossed from the right, Dion Drena Beljo headed it, the ball bounced off the ground and flew under the crossbar, but the Lithuanian goalkeeper managed to clear it.

The visitors threatened in the 67th minute, Franco Baldassarra tried his luck with a shot from 25 metres and – hit the crossbar right at the junction with the post.

Seven minutes later captain Mišić again initiated the move for a goal. From his own half he sent a long low ball, Beljo received it with his back to the opponent's goal, laid it off for Stojković who precisely from 18 metres, slightly to the left, hit the near post from which the ball bounced into the goal.

The story was concluded in the 4th minute of stoppage time, again the omnipresent Mišić sent the ball deep from his own half to Lukas Kačavenda, he escaped his marker, broke clear in front of the goalkeeper who managed to save his first shot, but the young Maksimir midfielder succeeded in his second attempt to place the ball in the corner for 5:0.

Zagreb, 4th August 2024.

UEFA Champions League, 3rd qualifying round, first leg

Dinamo – Kauno Žalgiris 5:0

Stadion Maksimir

Dinamo: Filipović – Valincić, Dominguez, McKenna, Perez Vinlöf – Mišić; Lisica (71. Topić), Stojković (86. Vidović), Zajc (71. Kačavenda), Hoxha (61. Oršić) – Beljo (86. Prevljak)

Coach: Mario Kovačević

Kauno Žalgiris: Švedkauskas – Moutachy, Tolordava, Lekiatas, Konatar (46. Edokpolor) – Kreković (46. Karashima), Baldassarra, Slivka, Ourega (57. Fiolić) – Benchaib (84. Debeljuh), Oliveira (65. Kalik)

Coach: Željko Sopić

Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium), Attendance: 12,147

Goalscorers: 1:0 Zajc (31.), 2:0 McKenna (33.), 3:0 Lisica (51.), 4:0 Stojković (76.), 5:0 Kačavenda (90+4.)