ZAGREB, Croatia (Interstat) — GNK Dinamo Zagreb opened its Croatian Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over lower-tier side Kurilovec on Wednesday at Stadion Maksimir.

The match, a round of 16 fixture in the national cup competition, proceeded largely as expected, with the top-flight powerhouse controlling proceedings against its visiting opponent. The result advanced Dinamo Zagreb’s record in the Cup to one win and no losses this season, while Kurilovec fell to no wins and one loss. Across all competitions, Dinamo begins its season with a perfect record, while Kurilovec starts with a defeat.

Dinamo Zagreb’s dominance translated onto the scoreboard midway through the first half with two quick goals. Forward Monsef Bakrar opened the scoring in the 25th minute, finding the net to give the hosts a lead they would not relinquish. Just five minutes later, midfielder Patrik Horvat doubled the advantage with a 30th-minute goal, effectively sealing the match before the halftime interval.

The second half saw Dinamo Zagreb manage the game, maintaining possession and limiting opportunities for a Kurilovec side that struggled to mount a serious challenge on the Dinamo goal. The visiting team failed to register a goal, ensuring a clean sheet for the Dinamo defense.

The final score aligned closely with pre-match projections from analytics firm Interstat. The company’s game simulator had predicted a 3-0 victory for Dinamo Zagreb, making the 2-0 outcome a near match in both result and defensive performance. Furthermore, Interstat’s ELO rating system had given Dinamo Zagreb a 70 percent probability of winning the contest.

With the victory, GNK Dinamo Zagreb moves into the quarterfinal round of the Croatian Cup. The club will look to build on this result as it continues its season across multiple fronts. Kurilovec’s cup run ends at this stage, and the team will turn its focus solely to its domestic league campaign.