Rijeka Reaches Conference League Round of 16

HNK Rijeka delivered a sensational performance at home, defeating AC Omonoia 3–1 in the return leg of the Europa Conference League playoff to advance to the Round of 16 with a 4–1 aggregate.

Rijeka overturned an early deficit thanks to a brilliant brace from Toni Fruk (52’, 67’) and a late strike from Daniel Adu-Adjei (79’), after Muamer Tanković had put Omonia ahead in the 13th minute. Rijeka had won the first leg 1–0 in Nicosia.

The Cypriot side started well, threatening in the 2nd minute when Willy Semedo fired just wide. Rijeka responded three minutes later through Ante Oreč’s cross, though Samuele Vignato’s effort lacked power.

Omonoia then took control. Ewandro broke down the right and forced a fine save from Martin Zlomislić, before Senou Coulibaly headed wide. In the 13th minute, after a disputed duel between Teo Barišić and Semedo, the ball found Ryan Mmaee, who teed up Tanković to shoot home from ten meters. Barišić was forced off injured soon after, leaving Rijeka’s defense weakened.

The visitors kept pressing, though without major chances, while Rijeka managed only a long-range strike from Stjepan Radeljić in the 30th minute. The first half ended with Rijeka yet to test Francis Uzoho in goal.

The second half brought a completely different Rijeka. The hosts pushed high and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Tiago Dantas slipped in Fruk, who drilled the ball past Uzoho for 1–1. The keeper got a touch but couldn’t stop it.

Both sides exchanged chances. Zlomislić denied Semedo, while Adu-Adjei missed an opportunity set up by Oreč. But Rijeka’s pressure paid off in the 67th minute: Dantas again found Adu-Adjei, whose shot was parried by Uzoho, only for Fruk to pounce on the rebound and make it 2–1.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. Radeljić launched a long ball forward, and Adu-Adjei sprinted clear, capitalizing on hesitation from Jure Balkovec and Uzoho to slot home and seal a famous 3–1 victory.

This marks Rijeka’s greatest European success since reaching the Cup Winners’ Cup quarterfinals in 1980. In the Round of 16, they’ll face either Raków Częstochowa or RC Strasbourg, two of the strongest teams from the group stage. The draw takes place tomorrow.