Rijeka

    Rijeka 3-1 Feyenoord Rotterdam

    Andrej Kramaric hit a match-winning hat-trick against Feyenoord to continue his own prolific streak and hand Rijeka a first victory in the Europa League group phase.The Croatia striker came into the match with 14 goals in 11 games and further improved that return, striking three times in 13 second-half minutes.Jens Toornstra returned fire for the Dutch side after Kramaric's first but the home side quickly re-established the advantage to claim a 3-1 win.The sides exchanged early attempts on goal, Vedran Jugovic with power but not placement for the hosts and Elvis Manu denied by Ivan Vargic's smart save at the other end.Ivan Tomecak's hopeful cross-shot seemed likely to end up in the net only for a fantastic stop from Kenneth Vermeer.Vermeer became increasingly busy as the half progressed, but neither Tomecak or Anas Sharbini made his job too hard when they shied at goal from the edge of the area.After 45 scoreless minutes Rick Karsdorp almost broke the deadlock 90 seconds after the interval, a curling effort on its way under the crossbar before Vargic tipped it over the top.The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute when Kramaric drifted into the six-yard box to get on the end of Marin Leovac's ball.But the lead last just three minutes, Toornstra taking advantage of Matej Mitrovic's indiscretion to equalise with a stunning free-kick.The goal-rush continued four minutes later, Kramaric getting on the end of Vargic's long punt and lifting calming over Vermeer to regain the lead.His hat-trick goal was not long coming, Terence Kongolo's foul allowing him to make it three from the penalty spot and seal the game for Rijeka.Feyenoord made the running in the closing stages but could hardly produce a finish worthy of the name, Karim El Ahmadi and Mitchell Te Vrede both failing to make the most of their chances.ends
    • 10Y
    • PA Sport

      Standard Liege 2-0 Rijeka

      Standard Liege bounced back to form as they opened their UEFA Europa League Group G campaign with a 2-0 win over Croatian opponents Rijeka in Belgium.Late goals from Laurent Ciman and Vinicius Araujo ended the hosts' run of seven games without a win in all competitions which has seen them slip to 12th in the Belgian Pro League.In contrast Rijeka went into the game on the back of three straight wins scoring 10 goals in the process - but could not find a way past Standard keeper Eiji Kawashima.The home side made a statement from the opening minute when Moroccan Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez missed a fine chance to open the scoring.Marin Leovac responded immediately for the visitors and Andrej Kramaric also had a chance but both were denied by Kawashima in the first five minutes.Lively Haitian midfielder Jeff Louis troubled the Rijeka defence, bringing a 15th minute save out of Ivan Vargic then missing a clear chance to put his side in front in the 28th minute.The Croatians ended the first half on top but none of Mato Jajalo, Marko Leskovic or Leovac could find a way past Kawashima.Louis had another chance early in the second half for the hosts and substitute Paul-Jose Mpoku also brought a save out of Vargic.Mpoku was instrumental in Standard's 74th minute opener when he sent a free-kick into the box which found Ciman who headed past the Rijeka keeper.Louis missed another chance before Araujo sealed the home side's win three minutes from time with another header, this time from an Adrien Trebel cross.The visitors continued pressing into the final minutes and Josip Ivancic should have narrowed the deficit in injury time only to miss the target. ends
      • 10Y
      • PA Sport
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