Dani Rodríguez scored and won a penalty on his debut for GNK Dinamo Zagreb. The 20-year-old midfielder found the net in the 16th minute and earned a spot-kick in the 30th, which Dion Drena Beljo converted for a 2:0 lead.

The victory marked Dinamo's third-biggest away win against Slaven Belupo and secured a second consecutive league win. Following this round, manager Marija Kovačević's side remains second in the SuperSport HNL table with 19 points, three behind leaders Hajduk Split. This win brings Dinamo's recent form to three wins in their last five league matches, preceded by a draw and a loss.

A Flying Start

Rodríguez opened his account for the Blues after a well-worked move. Mislav Oršić played a short pass to Beljo, who turned and laid it off for Rodríguez. The young Spaniard took a few steps and finished neatly into the near corner. He continued to influence the game fourteen minutes later, when he was brought down in the box by home goalkeeper Lovre Lončar, prompting an immediate penalty award.

"I didn't expect to score right away, but I was very happy and proud," Rodríguez said after the match. He celebrated his goal with a somersault towards the travelling fans.

Injury Context and Competition

This brilliant start is particularly significant given Rodríguez's recent injury history. While still at Barcelona, he suffered a serious knee and muscle injury that sidelined him from February to September. His low centre of gravity, dribbling ability, and explosive change of direction were immediately evident. His emergence is timely as other contenders for the role, such as Mateo Lisica, Fran Topić, and Iker Almena, have yet to justify expectations for a starting berth.

Dinamo displayed their attacking prowess in Koprivnica, with Beljo adding two goals and an assist to be another hero of the day. He made it 3:0 in the 40th minute, and after Jon Mersinaj pulled one back for the hosts, Miha Zajc and Niko Galesić completed the 5:1 rout. The win takes Dinamo's season tally to 23 goals scored, with 12 conceded.

Attention now turns to the derby against Rijeka at home on Saturday, 24 October. Rijeka currently sit fifth in the standings, and Dinamo will aim to maintain their positive momentum. Beljo, the team's top scorer with 10 goals in 7 appearances, will be key in that fixture. In the last three league meetings between the sides, Dinamo have recorded two wins and one defeat.

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