Rijeka 4-1 Hibs: European jaunt comes to juddering halt in Croatia

Hibs’ Europa Conference League journey has come to an abrupt end after a 4-1 defeat by Rijeka.
Hibs are hoping to advance to the play-off roundHibs are hoping to advance to the play-off round
Hibs are hoping to advance to the play-off round

The Easter Road side could, and arguably should, have won the first leg but the teams went into the return game tied at 1-1.

Hibs were without captain Paul Hanlon and striker Christian Doidge, and their absence was keenly felt as the Capital club toiled in the Croatian heat.

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Domagoj Pavicic put the hosts ahead shortly before the break but Kyle Magennis equalised, giving Hibs hope.

But a daft red card for Darren McGregor, who had picked up a needless booking early on, did for the visitors and they conceded twice in five minutes with Issah Abass netting both.

Substitute Denis Bušnja added insult to injury in added time as he waltzed through the defence and drew Matt Macey before firing home to complete a 5-2 aggregate win for the Prva HNL side.

Rijeka v Hibs

Key Events

  • First leg finished 1-1
  • Doidge and Hanlon miss out for Hibs
  • Nisbet returns to starting XI

Tomecak with an inviting cross but Macey takes it comfortably.

Good work from JDH to cut out an Abass cross. Defence owing him a few beers after that.

McGregor booked for bundling Obregon over about 20 yards from goal. The veteran defender will be walking a disciplinary tightrope for the remainder of the game... and there’s a lot of it left!

Muric hits the free kick well enough but it’s just over the bar - a taster of what the 25-year-old is capable of

Newell booked for felling Cerin in a dangerous position. The Rijeka player did seem to go down rather easily but Hibs have another free kick to defend.

Abass punts it straight into the green wall.

In the other tie taking place tonight that will be of interest to Hibs fans, Bohemians have half an hour to turn around their game - they led 2-1 from the first leg but conceded two first-half goal to PAOK, who now lead 3-2 on aggregate

Ampem down receiving treatment on the touchline but he looks to be okay to continue. The Ghanaian winger was on target for Rijeka in the Capital last week.

Free kick HIbs in a promising area...

McGregor gets up at the far post but the referee blows for a free kick to Rijeka.

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