This was the first clash between the two rivals at Maksimir since Rijeka won the league title earlier this year, ending Dinamo's run of 11 consecutive championships. The first meeting of the new season was played in Rijeka, where Dinamo won 2-0, and now the two sides have finally met at Maksimir. Once again the Blues won by two goals, this time 3-1, and at that moment extended their lead at the top of the table over second-placed Rijeka to a sizeable nine points...

The first chance of the match immediately produced a goal. Rijeka winger Maxwell Acosty shook the net in the 9th minute, in a situation where the referee first disallowed the goal for offside, but then changed his decision and awarded it.

Dinamo then pressed the Rijeka defence, controlled the game, created chances and drew level in the 29th minute. El Arabi Hilal Soudani shielded the ball superbly in a duel and set up Arijan Ademi, who shot at an angle from the edge of the penalty area. Goalkeeper Simon Sluga parried the ball, and Nikola Moro followed up to send it precisely into the top corner.

Soon afterwards, Soudani broke through one-on-one with the Rijeka goalkeeper, but from a tight angle he was unable to find the way to the net.

The real “delicacy” of this match was Dinamo's go-ahead goal in the 49th minute. Dani Olmo whipped in a corner, Amir Rrahmani headed the ball on at the far post to Soudani, who sent it into the goal with a masterful scissor kick.

Dinamo extended their lead in the 79th minute. Olmo won the ball in midfield and played a through ball to Soudani, who ran clear of the defence and slotted it into the net.

With that, Soudani scored his 13th goal in 13 league appearances against Rijeka, equalling the legendary Slaven Zambata on the all-time list of scorers in derbies against the Rijeka club.