At the start, they managed to overcome Bulgarian side Ludogorets in a dramatic finish, then convincingly defeated Moldovan Sheriff, with Maribor being the final obstacle before entering the Champions League. Dinamo won 2-1 at home in the first match, and having also triumphed away 1-0 later, they convincingly secured their fourth entry into the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.

The match will be remembered for Milan Badelj's two goals – one at each end. Dinamo took the lead in the 10th minute when Domagoj Vida received the ball on the right wing and curled a first-time shot towards goal, with Duje Čop sliding in at full speed at the near post to hammer it home. Six minutes before half-time, Badelj deflected the ball into his own net. Goran Cvijanović struck a low free kick from 18 yards out at a sharp angle from the left side. However, Badelj clumsily got a touch to it at the edge of the penalty area, causing it to roll along the post and into the net. Nevertheless, he redeemed himself in the 74th minute by scoring the goal that restored the lead. Čop played the ball into space, Badelj ran from deep and found the net for 2-1. Five minutes from the end, Sammir hit the post with a free kick.