Dinamo Zagreb 2-4 NEC Nijmegen – NEC claim a high-scoring Europa League win.

The UEFA Europa League league-phase clash took place on 22 October 2026 at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Both sides entered the match looking to collect vital points, but the game turned into a goal-rich encounter that saw the Dutch visitors overturn an early lead to finish as winners.

How it unfolded

The first notable incident came in the 23rd minute when Dinamo Zagreb’s forward Dion Drena Beljo was booked for a bad foul. Just two minutes later, NEC Nijmegen broke the deadlock. Clement Bischoff received a pass from Noé Lebreton and fired a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.

Dinamo responded swiftly. In the 33rd minute, Beljo headed home from a Matteo Pérez Vinlöf cross, restoring parity at 1-1. Four minutes on, Beljo struck again, this time a close-range right-footed finish that put Dinamo ahead 2-1.

The visitors’ discipline was tested before half-time, with NEC’s Noé Lebreton shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 44th minute. The half-time whistle blew with the score at 2-1 to Dinamo.

The equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time. In the 45th minute, Bryan Linssen headed the ball from the centre of the box into the high centre of the net, assisted by Bischoff, to level the match at 2-2.

The second half saw NEC take the initiative. In the 54th minute, Linssen scored his second of the night, a right-footed shot from outside the box that finished after a fast break, this time set up by Darko Nejasmic, giving NEC a 3-2 lead.

The home side pressed for another response, but NEC extended their advantage in the 80th minute. Tjaronn Chery unleashed a left-footed strike from the centre of the box into the top left corner, making it 4-2.

In injury time, Clement Bischoff received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 90+2 minute, but the scoreline remained unchanged as the match concluded.

Standout performers

  • Clement Bischoff (NEC) – Opened the scoring and provided the assist for Linssen’s first goal.
  • Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb) – Scored both of Dinamo’s goals, including a header from a Vinlöf cross.
  • Bryan Linssen (NEC) – Netted a brace, first with a header and later with a long-range effort.
  • Tjaronn Chery (NEC) – Added the fourth goal with a precise left-footed finish.

Match facts

  • Final score: Dinamo Zagreb 2-4 NEC Nijmegen
  • Scorers:
    • 25' Clement Bischoff (NEC) – assist Noé Lebreton
    • 33' Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb) – assist Matteo Pérez Vinlöf
    • 37' Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb)
    • 45' Bryan Linssen (NEC) – assist Clement Bischoff
    • 54' Bryan Linssen (NEC) – assist Darko Nejasmic
    • 80' Tjaronn Chery (NEC)
  • Bookings:
    • 23' Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb) – yellow card
    • 44' Noé Lebreton (NEC) – yellow card
    • 90+2' Clement Bischoff (NEC) – yellow card
  • Venue: Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb

What it means

The 4-2 win gives NEC Nijmegen three points from the Europa League league-phase fixture, while Dinamo Zagreb return home with a defeat that leaves them trailing in the same competition. Both clubs will look to build on the performances as the group stage progresses.