Jakov Puljić will go down in the record book at the new Opatija stadium. The Rijeka forward scored in the 41st minute to become the first senior goalscorer on the pitch, giving the match a clear historical marker before Rijeka added a second goal later in the game.
The occasion felt bigger than the scoreline. The official 802-seat venue was reported as full, with additional spectators present, while more than 200 youth players and local performers took part in the pre-match program. Before kickoff, Gabrijela Brajković took the opening kick, adding another symbolic touch to a night built around the club and the city.
A first for the new stadium
Rijeka had not played on the Opatija pitch for 11 years, and the return carried extra significance because the stadium is being presented as a new home for the club. Puljić's goal in the 41st minute gave the match its defining moment, and the finish ensured his name will be tied to the venue's first senior goal for years to come.
Oreč then scored in the 73rd minute after a Puljić assist to make it 0:2, underlining Rijeka's control after the breakthrough. The result also echoed the clubs' previous meeting at the same ground in October 2015, when Rijeka and Opatija met in the Croatian Cup round of 16 and Rijeka won 3-0.
Why it matters
This was more than a routine match. A full crowd at a new stadium, a first senior goal, and a return after 11 years all gave the evening a sense of occasion. For Rijeka, it was also a useful reminder of how often football history is made in small, specific moments rather than in grand statements.
The game also fits into a broader stretch of Rijeka coverage, with the club drawing attention in matches and upcoming fixtures alike. But on this night, the focus stayed on the milestone: Puljić scored first, the crowd was full, and the new Opatija stadium got its first senior goal.
