Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Petar Bočkaj's 72nd-minute penalty gave NK Varaždin a 1-0 win over Bulgarian side CSKA 1948 in their third pre-season friendly at Gradski Stadion Varaždin.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Both coaches used the afternoon to spread minutes across large squads, and the first half reflected that rhythm. Varaždin created the first chance in the 8th minute when a corner found Mario Punčec unmarked, but his header was straight at CSKA goalkeeper Georgi Marinov. Another corner in the 13th minute produced a header over the bar.
CSKA 1948 grew into the half and carved out the clearest opening in the 33rd minute. A free-kick delivery reached Lasha Dvali at the far post, but the Georgian international could not turn the ball in from two or three metres. Diallo tested Varaždin keeper Ante Silić from a tight angle just before the break, and the teams went in goalless.
The second half followed a similar pattern until the 70th minute, when CSKA substitute Frederic Maciel forced Silić into a sharp save from 10 metres. That proved decisive: Varaždin went straight down the other end, and when Héctor Cuellar — one of CSKA's new signings — handled in the box, referee Ivan Slunjski pointed to the spot.
Bočkaj, introduced along with nine other substitutes in the 64th minute, stepped up and sent Marinov the wrong way, tucking the ball into the right corner.
CSKA made three changes in the 74th minute and pushed for an equaliser, but Varaždin's rearguard — protected by a fresh back line — held firm. Teo Novak replaced Silić between the posts in the 77th minute but was barely tested.
The turning point
The 70th–72nd-minute sequence decided the match. Maciel's saved shot for CSKA was the visitors' best moment of the second half; within 90 seconds, Varaždin had won a penalty and scored. Cuellar's handball was the kind of lapse pre-season friendlies expose, and Bočkaj's composure from 12 yards was the difference.
CSKA coach Aleksandar Aleksandrov felt the referee had overlooked a similar penalty appeal for his side in the first half when Diallo went down in the box, according to Bulgarian outlet Sportal. The same official waved away that claim but awarded the spot-kick at the other end.
Key performers
- Petar Bočkaj (Varaždin) — The new arrival scored the winner from the spot with a calm, placed finish. His first goal for the club in only his second appearance in pre-season.
- Ante Silić (Varaždin) — Made three saves, the best from Maciel in the 70th minute, before being substituted after keeping a clean sheet.
- Frederic Maciel (CSKA 1948) — The Brazilian forward provided CSKA's liveliest moment after coming off the bench, forcing Silić into action. Unlucky not to score.
Player of the match: Petar Bočkaj
By the numbers
Futbol24's live data showed Varaždin with 44% possession against CSKA's 56%, and the visitors edged the shot count — a reflection of a contest in which both sides prioritised physical preparation over result. The single goal came from the penalty spot, underscoring a match where open-play chances were scarce after both teams made wholesale changes. CSKA's yellow card (62nd minute) was the only booking.
What it means
This was Varaždin's third pre-season friendly under head coach Nikola Šafarić, all wins. The Croatian side, who finished third in the HNL last season, travel to a 10-day training camp at Rogla on Monday (6 July) where they will play two more friendlies.
CSKA 1948 — runners-up in the Bulgarian First League last term — suffered their first defeat in five pre-season outings. They are based at a training camp in Moravske Toplice, Slovenia.
Both clubs have UEFA Conference League second qualifying round ties ahead. Varaždin will face Czech side Jablonec, while CSKA 1948 meet Slovakian outfit Spartak Trnava. Their next pre-season fixtures are unannounced at the time of writing.
Verdict
A narrow result that suited both sides' objectives: Varaždin got a winning habit and a goal from a new signing, CSKA got competitive minutes against a solid opponent. The penalty decision will rankle the Bulgarians, but in a friendly context neither coach will overanalyse it.
Match Events
Key match events between NK Varazdin and CSKA 1948 — 1 goal and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 5 Jul 2026