The impressive streak of Rijeka’s football team, which remained unbeaten in 19 games within the Croatian league, came to an end in Varaždin.

They faced the home team’s standout player, Aleksa Latković, a native of Cetinje, who led Radomir Đalović’s squad to their first defeat in the 20th round of the 1st HNL.

The former young Montenegro national team player netted the only goal during the match at the Varaždin City Stadium, scoring in the 31st minute. Rijeka concluded the game with nine players after Devetak was red-carded in the 69th minute and Fruk received a second yellow in injury time.

With this victory, Varaždin climbed to fourth place, and our attacking midfielder found the net for the second consecutive match, having scored previously in a 1:1 draw against Gorica.

Latković, who is 24 years old, joined Varaždin in September last year from Rudes.

Rijeka remains at the top of the standings but now holds just a two-point lead and one match more played than Hajduk. Dinamo trails by seven points, also with a game fewer than Đalović’s team.

This Sunday, the Split team will face Lokomotiva in Zagreb, while the “blues” are set to visit Osijek.

News