On May 10, 2025, Rijeka continued their march towards the SuperSport HNL title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Šibenik at the Šubićevac stadium. The match, which was contested in front of 2,224 spectators, saw Rijeka capitalize on a crucial moment in the 65th minute when Nais Djouahra scored the only goal of the game after a slick interplay with teammate Toni Fruk.
This victory marked Rijeka's eighth consecutive win at Šubićevac and solidified their position at the top of the league table, now boasting 62 points—four ahead of second-placed Dinamo and six ahead of Hajduk, both of whom have a game in hand. For Djouahra, this was his fourth goal of the season and his first since February 22, 2025, when he netted in a 4-0 rout against Dinamo.
The match began with both teams struggling to create meaningful chances. Rijeka, as the league leaders, were expected to dominate, but they were unable to muster a single shot on target in the first half. Instead, it was Šibenik who had the first real opportunity when Ivan Santini missed a golden chance, shooting over the bar from just three meters out in the 34th minute.
As the game progressed into the second half, Šibenik demonstrated a solid defensive performance, effectively neutralizing Rijeka's attacking threats. They came close to scoring again in the 60th minute when Duraković's effort was miraculously saved by Rijeka's goalkeeper, Martin Zlomislić, right on the goal line.
However, it was Rijeka who struck first, capitalizing on their first significant attacking move of the match. Djouahra and Fruk executed a well-timed one-two, allowing Djouahra to break into the penalty area and slot the ball into the far corner from about ten meters out. This stunning play sent the visiting fans into a frenzy and put Rijeka in the driver’s seat.
Despite falling behind, Šibenik did not give up easily. They ramped up their attacking efforts and nearly equalized in the 76th minute when Laća hit the post with a powerful shot from 11 meters out. The home side's resilience was commendable, yet they were unable to convert their chances into goals.
Rijeka's defense held firm as they weathered the storm of Šibenik's late attempts to level the score. The match ended with a sense of relief for Rijeka, who not only secured three vital points but also moved closer to clinching the league title for the second time in their history, having last won it in 2017.
Post-match, Rijeka's coach, Đalović, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We showed great character in a tough match. Every point is crucial as we approach the end of the season." Meanwhile, Šibenik's coach, Rajko Vidović, lamented the missed opportunities, particularly Santini's glaring miss, which could have changed the game's outcome.
As the season nears its conclusion, Rijeka's path to the title is becoming clearer. If they can secure victories against Hajduk at Poljud and Slaven Belupo at Rujevica in their next two matches, they will be crowned champions, regardless of other results. On the other hand, Šibenik remains in a precarious position, sitting last in the standings with 30 points, five behind ninth-placed Lokomotiva. If the appeals commission confirms a deduction of two points from Šibenik's account on May 12, they will officially be relegated to the second league.
This match showcased the high stakes involved as Rijeka pushes for the title while Šibenik fights for survival. The drama of the SuperSport HNL continues to unfold, promising an exciting finish to the season.
