Beautiful journey in Europe ends: 'Žalgiris' - once again defeated by 'Hajduk'

2026-08-13 23:52 © E. Žaldario

Vilnius "Žalgiris" lost 0:4 (0:0) to Split "Hajduk" in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round.

Compared to the first match, coach Andrius Skerla made two changes to the starting lineup. In goal, Vincentas Šarkauskas was replaced by Carlos Olsesas, and in the midfield, Marko Capanas started instead of Ivan Lytvynenko.

The match at Poljud Stadium kicked off at 9 PM local time, but even late in the evening, Split was experiencing 30-degree heat.

The home team started the match more actively. In the 4th minute, Marko Livaja shot from the edge of the penalty area but missed the target. Two minutes later, Dalisson de Almeida shot twice in the penalty area – the first attempt was saved by C. Olsesas, while the rebound was blocked by a Žalgiris defender.

In the 7th minute, Žalgiris created a good opportunity. Jurijus Kendyšas headed the ball to Bryan Teixeira, but his shot from about 12 meters was blocked by an opponent's defender.

Later, the game leveled out. In the 38th minute, Dominikas Franke passed the ball from the left flank, but Nikola Petković, who was in the penalty area, did not successfully connect with the ball, and it flew past the goal.

The first half ended without any goals – 0:0.

In the second half, the home team gradually gained control of the situation.

In the 53rd minute, Hajduk took the lead. After a pass from the right flank, Dario Melnjak shot from about 8 meters. C. Olsesas touched the ball, but could not save it – 1:0.

In the 65th minute, D. Melnjak headed the ball from about 10 meters, but it sailed over the goal. Two minutes later, the hosts threatened dangerously from the right side, but the ball went past the goal.

In the 69th minute, Hajduk doubled their lead. The home team won an aerial duel, and the ball fell to Adam Huram, who had just come on. He turned and shot, and the ball changed direction off a defender's leg and went into the net – 2:0.

In the 80th and 83rd minutes, Hajduk scored two more times from similar attacks. First, Abdoulie Sanyang and then Michele Šego broke through the right side into the penalty area and shot. In both cases, the ball went into the net after a deflection – 4:0.

In the remaining time of the match, the score did not change. Having lost 2:9 on aggregate, Žalgiris ended their European campaign for this year.