Varaždin thrashes Slaven Belupo for second win | Večernji List (HR) | Football News

NK Varaždin continued their strong start to the new season with a convincing 4-1 away victory over Slaven Belupo. The win marks their second consecutive maximum points haul in the Croatian top flight.

Varaždin established a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime, with goals from Ivan Canjuga in the 26th minute, Luka Mamić two minutes later, and Aleksa Latković in the 44th minute. Slaven Belupo managed to reduce the deficit in the 71st minute through Ilija Nestorovski, but Canjuga sealed the victory with his second goal in the 78th minute.

With this win, Varaždin joins league leaders Osijek and third-placed Lokomotiva as one of three teams with a perfect record after two rounds. Other teams, including Dinamo and Rijeka, have three points and a game in hand, while Hajduk and Istra 1961 are among five teams yet to secure any points.

The match saw Varaždin's dominance, particularly in the first half. Goalkeeper Karlo Sentić faced numerous challenges, but it was a defensive lapse that led to the second goal, with Luka Mamić capitalizing on Sentić's premature exit from his area. Despite a stronger second-half performance from Slaven Belupo, Varaždin's solid lead proved insurmountable.