FC Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb

FC Thun took the lead in the 20th minute through a well-worked set-piece. Fabio Fehr's delivery from a corner found Labeau, who powered a header into the centre of the goal from close range, leaving Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Filipovic with no chance. It was the Swiss side's first meaningful attempt and it gave them a platform to defend.

Dinamo dominated possession (57.4%) and created more chances across the 90 minutes — 20 shots to Thun's 16, and six on target to three — but found Thun goalkeeper Niklas Steffen in resilient form. Steffen made three saves, including a sharp stop from Moris Valincic's long-range effort in the 28th minute and a denial of Mislav Orsic from close range in the 57th minute.

Thun had chances to double their lead. Nils Reichmuth fired narrowly wide in the 68th minute after a fast break, and Michael Heule drilled a shot just off target from a corner in the 82nd. But the missed opportunities proved costly.

Just as Thun looked set to take a slender advantage to Zagreb, Zajc collected a pass from substitute Fran Topic — who had been on the pitch for only six minutes — and unleashed a right-footed strike from outside the box that arrowed into the bottom-left corner, leaving Steffen helpless.

Dinamo head coach's decision to introduce Topic and Lukas Kacavenda in the 80th minute shifted the momentum decisively. Topic provided the assist for Zajc's equaliser within six minutes of his arrival, and came close to winning it himself in stoppage time, when his left-footed shot flew over the bar. Thun, by contrast, had withdrawn goalscorer Labeau in the 79th minute for Christopher Ibayi, losing their most effective outlet.

Brighton Labeau (FC Thun) — The Martinique-born striker scored his first Champions League goal with a well-timed header and held the ball up effectively throughout. Subbed off with ten minutes left, his absence was felt.

Miha Zajc (Dinamo Zagreb) — Booked inside two minutes for a holding foul, Zajc was a persistent threat from midfield. He ended the night with a goal, three key passes, and the most shots (5) of any player on the pitch.

Niklas Steffen (FC Thun) — The Thun goalkeeper made three saves, including an important stop from Orsic, and commanded his area well. Could do nothing about Zajc's equaliser.

Fran Topic (Dinamo Zagreb) — The substitute changed the game. One assist, one shot, and 15 minutes of high-energy pressing.

Dinamo's 57.4% possession and 20 shots (six on target) to Thun's 16 (three on target) reflect a team that controlled the territory but lacked incision in the final third until the late substitution. Thun's 42.6% possession yielded nine corners to Dinamo's five, suggesting the hosts were dangerous on the transition and from set pieces — Fehr's delivery from corners was a consistent threat. The 19 fouls conceded by Thun (to Dinamo's 13) hint at a side that was forced to defend deep and disrupt play. Dinamo's 80.5% passing accuracy versus Thun's 72.8% underscores the visitors' control, but the xG tells the story of a game that was evenly balanced in high-quality chances.

The 1-1 draw leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Tuesday, 28 July 2026. Dinamo will be favourites with the away goal in the bank, but Thun demonstrated that they can trouble the Croatian champions from set pieces and on the break. The winner advances to the third qualifying round, one step from the group stage.

For Thun — Swiss Super League side who finished 6th last season — this was a first competitive match of the 2026/27 campaign. Dinamo Zagreb, perennial Croatian champions, entered competitive action later than Thun due to their domestic calendar and will expect to improve on this performance in the return leg.

A fair result that leaves everything to play for. Dinamo will rue their slow start and a first half in which they failed to register a shot on target, while Thun will wonder what might have been had they held on for another six minutes. The second leg promises to be a tense affair with Champions League group-stage football at stake.

Match details

• Competition: UEFA Champions League — 2nd Qualifying Round
• Date: 21 July 2026
• Venue: Stockhorn Arena, Thun
• Attendance: 9,000
• Referee: Bulat Sariyev

Scorers: B. Labeau 20' (assist: F. Fehr); M. Zajc 86' (assist: F. Topic)

Yellow cards: M. Zajc 2' (DZG), M. Lisica 62' (DZG), M. Bürki 66' (THU), J. Roth 70' (THU), F. Fehr 90+1' (THU)

Player of the match: Miha Zajc (Dinamo Zagreb)