Opava vs Petržalka

The opening half-hour was a cagey affair as both sides felt each other out. Petržalka gradually took control, creating several promising shooting positions without capitalising. The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Babacar Sy, tracking back into his own box, fouled a Petržalka attacker. Opava goalkeeper Ciupa saved the resulting penalty with a sharp stop, but Adam Goljan was quickest to the rebound, slotting home from close range for 0-1.

Opava finished the first half strongly. Lacík tested Petržalka goalkeeper Mikoláš, Aidara headed a free-kick wide, and Čejka struck the crossbar with a header in first-half stoppage time.

After the break, Opava came out with renewed purpose. Zálešák drove into the box and aimed for the far post, but Mikoláš was well-positioned to save. The equaliser arrived in the 57th minute: Lacík delivered a cross from the right and Babacar Sy — the man who had conceded the penalty — made amends with a precise header that gave Mikoláš no chance, making it 1-1.

Parity lasted only six minutes. Petržalka responded swiftly, working the ball through a neat passing move before Goljan ran onto a through ball into the channel and tucked his shot past Ciupa at the far post for 1-2. In the 79th minute, substitute Kusalík had a chance to extend the lead but Ciupa denied him with a smart save at the near post from the edge of the box.

Goljan's second goal in the 64th minute. Opava had momentum after Sy's header and the crowd was behind them, but Petržalka's immediate response — just six minutes after the equaliser — deflated the hosts and restored the visitors' control. Opava never truly threatened again.

Adam Goljan (Petržalka) — Two goals from close range, the first a poacher's finish from a rebound and the second a well-timed run and composed finish. The difference between the sides. Player of the match.

Babacar Sy (Opava) — Conceded the penalty that led to the opener but redeemed himself with a well-taken header for the equaliser. A game of two halves for the Senegalese forward.

Ciupa (Opava) — Saved a first-half penalty and made a vital stop from Kusalík in the 79th minute. Kept the scoreline respectable.

Lacík (Opava) — Provided the assist for Sy's equaliser with a pinpoint cross and was Opava's most creative force in midfield.

Three goals from a combined 31 minutes of actual play (31', 57', 64') in a game that saw no cards. Petržalka's first-half penalty miss followed by the rebound goal is a statistical oddity that flattered their xG without changing the scoreline narrative. Opava's equaliser lasted just six minutes — the shortest-lived parity of the game — underscoring Petržalka's superior resilience. Both sides used their full benches (Opava made six substitutions, Petržalka at least one), typical of a pre-season workout.

This was Opava's final pre-season friendly before their CHNL (Czech National League) opener against MFK Karviná on 27 July. Petržalka begin their Slovak II. liga campaign away to MŠK Žilina B on 26 July. Opava's pre-season form reads: Žilina 1-1, Prostějov 1-1, Sparta Prague 1-4, Hlubina 0-2, Polonia Bytom 3-2, and now Petržalka 1-2 — only one win in six. Petržalka, by contrast, built momentum with a 3-0 win over Podbrezová before this victory, following earlier results against Zlín (3-3), Trenčín (2-4) and Skalica (0-1).

A deserved pre-season win for Petržalka, who were sharper in both boxes. Goljan's double was the difference, but Petržalka's collective organisation — especially in snuffing out Opava's momentum after the equaliser — bodes well for their II. liga campaign. Opava have defensive work to do before the season starts.

Opava: Ciupa — Aidara, Janoščín (65. Diao), Lehoczki, Helešic — Čejka (87. Barteska), Lacík (76. Vladař), Múdry (65. Onije), Novák (53. Bránecký), Zálešák — Babacar Sy

Petržalka: Mikoláš — Niňaj, Jaššo, Deligiannis, Ševčík, Sliacký, Alabi, Brezník, Goljan, Isaac, Kousal

Venue: Simply Arena, Opava Date: 18 July 2026, 16:00 CET Competition: Pre-season friendly (Club Friendlies) Attendance: Not published at the time of writing