NK Varazdin vs FC Voluntari

Varaždin dominated the opening half-hour without creating clear-cut chances before taking the lead in the 39th minute. Ivan Canjuga collected the ball inside the box and fired past the Voluntari goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

The hosts went into the break a goal up and coach Nikola Šafarić used the friendly to rotate heavily. Nejc Premrl and Lovro Lesjak entered at half-time for David Mladenovski and Andrija Domjanić.

Voluntari, who had beaten Tiszakecske 3-2 two days earlier in their own pre-season programme, grew into the contest after the restart. They found their equaliser in the 76th minute — though it came via a Varaždin own goal, the result of a defensive miscommunication from a cross into the box.

Varaždin responded immediately. Just two minutes later, substitute Paizinho Quissequel — one of seven players introduced in the 60th minute — latched onto a ball in the area and finished decisively to restore the lead.

The instant response to going 1-1 was the decisive passage. From kick-off after the own goal, Varaždin pushed forward and Quissequel converted within two minutes. Voluntari had no time to build on the equaliser or settle into a defensive shape, and the hosts' quick-fire answer killed their momentum.

Ivan Canjuga — scored the opening goal with a composed finish and was a constant threat in the first half. His movement off the ball created space for Varaždin's attacking transitions.

Paizinho Quissequel — the substitute forward delivered the game-winning goal with a sharp finish moments after entering the fray, showing composure in a chaotic passage.

Luka Zelenika / Antonio Grubišić — the Varaždin goalkeepers shared duties (Grubišić replaced Zelenika in the 70th minute) and faced only limited danger aside from the own goal.

The 2-1 scoreline reflects a game of two distinct phases. Varaždin controlled the first hour, taking a deserved lead and rotating heavily. Voluntari's spell of pressure between the 60th and 76th minutes yielded the equaliser through an own goal rather than a crafted chance — suggesting Varaždin's reshuffled defence was unsettled but not breached by open play. The hosts' instant riposte underlined their superior sharpness at this stage of pre-season.

This was Varaždin's second pre-season friendly of summer 2026. Their first is not recorded in available official sources, but the squad has been in training under Nikola Šafarić — who recently confirmed he will remain head coach after an impressive 2025/26 season in the HNL. Varaždin next face CSKA Sofia on Saturday at Gradski stadion Varaždin main pitch (18:00, free entry), their final test before departing for a training camp at Rogla.

For FC Voluntari, this was their second friendly of pre-season following a 3-2 win over Tiszakecske on 30 June. The Romanian side, who regained promotion to Liga I for the 2026/27 season, conclude their Croatian training camp with this fixture.

A productive workout for both sides. Šafarić's wholesale changes disrupted Varaždin's flow in the second half but the quick response to conceding showed encouraging mentality. Voluntari can take heart from their spell of pressure but will want sharper finishing in open play as they prepare for the Liga I campaign kick-off.