SuperSport HNL: Dinamo Finish Winter Season on Top, Hajduk One Point Behind

Croatian football delivered another weekend of drama in Round 18 of the SuperSport HNL, which brought key points in the race for the top, mid-table battles, and matches marked by red cards.

The round opened in Varaždin, where the home side fell 3–1 to Istra 1961. In Osijek, the hosts and Slaven Belupo played out a goalless draw (0–0), a tight and physical match in which both sides had to settle for a point. At Maksimir, Dinamo confirmed their position at the top with a 2–0 win over Lokomotiva.

Over at Poljud, Hajduk claimed a tense 2–1 win over Vukovar 1991, thanks to a decisive goal from Marko Livaja, but three red cards marred the match. Mario Tadić saw red for Vukovar after a reckless challenge, while Hajduk’s Ante Rebić and Livaja were both dismissed after picking up second yellows.

The round concluded at Rujevica, where Rijeka earned a narrow 1–0 victory over Gorica, a single goal proving enough for three crucial points in front of the home crowd. The 18th round once again showed why the SuperSport HNL remains one of Europe’s most unpredictable domestic leagues.

Dinamo finishes the winter season on top, Hajduk one point behind

After 18 rounds, the 2025/26 season reaches its halfway stage with Dinamo crowned winter champions. The Zagreb side head into the break with 38 points and a goal difference of +22. Hajduk, however, remains in close pursuit, just one point behind with 37 and a goal difference of +12, promising a thrilling title race in the spring.

The fight for third is equally tight. Istra 1961 and Slaven Belupo both sit on 26 points, with Istra holding a game in hand. Rijeka follows on 24 points (also with a game in hand) and a positive goal difference of +8. Varaždin continues to impress in mid-table with 23 points.

At the lower end of the table, Gorica and Lokomotiva sit on 19 points, while Vukovar 1991 and Osijek find themselves in serious trouble. Osijek, in particular, faces a worrying situation at the bottom with just 14 points.

The SuperSport HNL resumes with Round 19 on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Osijek will try to upset winter champions Dinamo at Opus Arena, while Rijeka hosts Slaven Belupo at Rujevica. Varaždin face Gorica in a key mid-table clash, and Hajduk take on an in-form Istra 1961 at Poljud in what promises to be one of the round’s standout encounters. The weekend closes with Lokomotiva vs Vukovar 1991 at Maksimir, a match that could prove decisive in the relegation fight.