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Vukušić third time lucky against Anderlecht

HNK Hajduk Split 1-0 RSC Anderlecht
Ante Vukušić atoned for two glaring misses by breaking through to win this Group G game in the 95th minute.

Ante Vukušić strikes Hajduk's late winner against Anderlecht
Ante Vukušić strikes Hajduk's late winner against Anderlecht ©Getty Images

Ante Vukušić atoned for two missed chances to score HNK Hajduk Split's 95th-minute winner against RSC Anderlecht, as a sleepy UEFA Europa League Group G tie came to life at the death.

The masked Marin Ljubičić clipped the ball on for the 19-year-old who raced past his marker and calmly beat Silvio Proto to give the Croatian side their first points in the section. However, the striker might have put the game well beyond Ariël Jacobs' side as two gilt-edged chances went begging either side of half-time.

With both teams having lost 3-1 on Matchday 1, there was a caution about their play, and while the Stadion Poljud crowd urged Hajduk on, there was little to shout about in the first half. Home keeper Danijel Subašić saved at Mbark Boussoufa's feet and Matías Suárez skidded an effort just wide after Senijad Ibričić's free-kick went close for Hajduk.

Stanko Poklepović's half-time team talk might have taken a different tone had Vukušić not headed wide from the enterprising Anas Sharbini's elegant ball just before the break, and Vukušić missed an even easier opportunity on 58 minutes when Ivan Strinić's delivery left him with the Anderlecht goal gaping. However, he skewed the bobbling ball wide.

That miss at least heralded a bolder approach from the home side, though Anderlecht looked set to be the main benificiaries, with Suárez and his 17-year-old replacement Romelu Lukaku finding more room to roam. However, Proto made a stunning save to deny Ljubičić in added time before Vukušić made amends in dramatic fashion.

 

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