Hibs 1-1 HNK Rijeka: All to play for in second leg after breathless Easter Road encounter
The Easter Road side peppered Nediljko Labrović’s goal in both halves with Lewis Stevenson hitting the post and Jamie Murphy and Kevin Nisbet hooting straight at the 21-year-old ‘keeper in the opening 45 minutes.
Nisbet must have thought he’d levelled as he headed goalwards from close range but Labrović pulled off a fine save, only for Boyle to smash home the rebound.
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Hide AdDaniel Mackay had a glorious chance to score the winner when he was sent through one-on-one by substitute Scott Allan but Labrović stood up well and denied the summer signing a stunning winner for Jack Ross’ side.
Hibs should feel confident when they travel to Croatia next week – although there will be a feeling that they could have, and maybe should have, made life a lot easier for themselves.
Relive the action below.
HIbs v HNK Rijeka
Elsewhere in Europe...
Currently Breiðablik 1, Aberdeen 2 in Iceland and in Turkey, 10-man Galatasaray have just equalised against St Johnstone, who took the lead with a penalty with the ‘keeper red-carded.
McGinn, who has been responsible for a lot of Hibs’ best moves so far tonight, just fails to pick out Murphy with a clever through-ball
Boyle’s cross is blocked, McGinn swirls in the rebound but Labrovic gathers on the edge of his six-yard box.
CHANCE!
Oh my word Lewis Stevenson! The left-back comes steaming into the box and hits a powerful first-time effort from Boyle’s pass and it cracks off the base of the post! So close to an opener!
YELLOW CARD!
First of the game for Smolcic, who is cautioned for taking out Boyle midway inside the Hibs half
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