DERBY DECIDED IN THE FIRST HALF: Zvezda beat Partizan, match marked by a minute of silence for Ratko Mladić! (VIDEO)

Red Star Crvena zvezda recorded a victory in the 180th Eternal Derby at their home stadium, defeating Partizan 2:1 in a highly entertaining match. It was “fun” at Marakana, as we saw a comeback, a penalty after VAR intervention and a goal within just 50 seconds.

Before the match, Zvezda were considered heavy favorites, primarily because of the standings. Crvena zvezda entered the game as the top team in the Serbian SuperLiga, while Partizan were sitting in the lower half of the table.

In addition, it was clear that the Black-and-Whites were dealing with a number of injury problems, and Saša Ilić had to make plenty of adjustments. Partizan had an opportunity to reach Europe, but that match against Getafe also somewhat “slowed them down.”

However, none of that diminished Partizan’s desire, as they entered the match with plenty of determination and energy. They attacked from the very first minute, quite literally. They needed just 50 seconds to score the fastest goal ever in the derby.

🫡

🔴⚪️ #fkcz pic.twitter.com/n0IwG1NDTu
— FK Crvena zvezda (@crvenazvezdafk) September 6, 2026

For Zvezda, it was another blow after the match against Plzeň, after which they finally started to play. Zvezda quickly managed to get back into the game, threatened on several occasions and turned the score around within just nine minutes. First Bamba Dieng scored, followed by Ivanić after VAR intervention and a penalty.

Partizan had plenty of chances at the very end to come back and equalize, but Že was inaccurate.

After a long time, fans in Serbia were able to enjoy a match like the Eternal Derby, with open football from the first to the final second, without slowing down or ugly play.

Marakana certainly witnessed a start to the match that nobody expected, either at the stadium or watching from home. Just 50 seconds of football were enough for the net to bulge – and it was Crvena zvezda’s net! Demba Seck broke down the flank and shot, but Mateus saved it.

The ball bounced a little in front of the Zvezda goalkeeper, and Že got to it, shooting, but Mateus saved his effort as well. The ball then bounced off the crossbar, off the back of the Zvezda goalkeeper and into the net – 1st minute, 1:0 for Partizan.

It would have been difficult for anyone to imagine such 60 seconds at the stadium, and Zvezda then managed to regain some order, creating a chance in the 11th minute.

Mirko Ivanić received the ball on the left flank, set himself up and delivered a cross, while Vasilije Kostov made a run in front of the Partizan defense. The young footballer headed the ball, but it went wide.

ZAJEDNO KAO JEDNO: Navijači Zvezde i Partizana skandiraju Ratku Mladiću, pominje se i Vučić! (VIDEO)

Just 120 seconds later, Zvezda had another great chance. It was the 13th minute when Vukašin Đurđević lost the ball, after which Bamba Dieng played it with his heel toward Mirko Ivanić, who found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Krunić. He shot poorly, and the ball went wide.

However, Zvezda did not have to wait long after that chance for the equalizer. It was the 17th minute. Mirko Ivanić was once again at the center of attention, receiving the ball on the left side and sending in an excellent cross. The ball flew over everyone in the Partizan defense and fell to Bamba Dieng. He entered the six-yard box and simply poked it past goalkeeper Krunić – 1:1, 17th minute.

That encouraged debutant Bamba Dieng, who took another shot just two minutes later. Gaštarov broke through and left the ball for Dieng, who shot over the bar.

At that moment, VAR also became involved, and referee Minaković went to the monitor to check whether there had been a penalty. It did not take long for him to confirm the decision, and he pointed to the spot. Mirko Ivanić took the penalty and scored – 28th minute, 2:1 for Zvezda.

After that, it was a long wait for another chance, with Partizan creating one in the 40th minute. Demba Seck received the ball on the right wing in his characteristic fashion, cut inside and shot, but Mateus saved. That was all from the first half.

The second half began with a stoppage due to flares being lit. It lasted just a few minutes before the match continued. The first shot of the second half came nine minutes in, courtesy of Milan Vukotić.

The Montenegrin footballer set himself up on his left foot and took aim, with Mateus close to it. He failed to get a hand to the ball, which struck only the crossbar of the goal guarded by the Brazilian goalkeeper for Zvezda.

There were not many beautiful moves after that, while Rade Krunić had to leave the game due to injury and was replaced by Badjo. Saša Ilić made changes, as did Albert Riera. Both teams threatened, but neither created a more serious chance.

The first major chance came in the 70th minute, when Osman Bukari, who had entered the game, found himself in a good position. Gaštarov picked him out, and he escaped the defense and went one-on-one with goalkeeper Krunić. Bukari shot, but the ball went wide.

Partizan threatened through Že in the 87th minute, but the effort was not particularly close.

Že could have scored in the 93rd minute when he broke through alone and found himself face-to-face with Mateus. He shot, but failed to hit the target. That was also the end of the match.

MORE TOPICS: