ZENICA, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Interstat) — Nemanja Bilbija scored twice and Zrinjski defeated host NK Celik Zenica 3-0 at Stadion Bilino Polje on Sunday. Antonio Ilic added the other goal as the visiting side pulled away after a scoreless first half. Zrinjski improved its record in the competition to 2 wins and 0 losses, while NK Celik Zenica moved to 0 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Across all competitions, Zrinjski is now 4 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw, and NK Celik Zenica is 0 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. The result kept Zrinjski unbeaten in the competition and left Celik Zenica still seeking its first win in the competition this season.

The first half produced no goals, but it was not without tension. Celik Zenica defended in compact blocks and tried to limit space in front of its area, while Zrinjski circulated possession and looked for seams through the middle. The host’s resistance held until the 58th minute, when Bilbija broke the deadlock. That goal changed the shape of the match, forcing Celik Zenica to chase the game and opening more room for Zrinjski in the attacking third. Ilic doubled the advantage in the 64th minute, finishing a move that gave the visitors a cushion. Bilbija then completed the scoring in the second minute of stoppage time, securing his second goal of the game and Zrinjski’s third of the afternoon.

Bilbija’s two-goal performance was the defining attacking contribution for Zrinjski. Ilic’s goal provided the visitors with a second scoring threat and helped Zrinjski pull clear during a decisive second-half stretch. The visitors managed the game well after taking the lead, limiting Celik Zenica’s chances and keeping the host from building sustained pressure. Bilbija had scored in Zrinjski’s previous match, a 6-2 win at Sloga Meridian, and his latest brace was the central attacking story of the game. His first goal came after Zrinjski had spent much of the opening hour probing for an opening, and his second arrived after Celik Zenica had committed more players forward in search of a response.

Discipline shaped the contest as well. Celik Zenica’s Sijamija was shown a yellow card in the 14th minute. Gogic was booked in the 33rd minute and again in the 37th. Zrinjski’s Abramovic was cautioned in the 41st minute, Grbic in the 78th and Stapic in the 82nd. The six yellow cards reflected the physical edge that developed as Celik Zenica tried to slow Zrinjski’s second-half momentum. Celik Zenica made substitutions in the 58th, 69th and 76th minutes as it searched for a response. Zrinjski made changes in the 76th, 86th and 90th minutes plus stoppage time, protecting its lead and closing out the result.

The second-half goals allowed Zrinjski to turn a tight match into a comfortable win. Bilbija’s opener in the 58th minute came after a long spell of pressure, and Ilic’s strike six minutes later gave the visitors room to play. Bilbija’s final goal in stoppage time capped the scoring and completed a brace that stood out in a match otherwise marked by caution and defensive work. Zrinjski’s defense kept a clean sheet, and the visitors’ overall record remained strong across all competitions. Celik Zenica, meanwhile, remained without a win in the competition this season. Celik Zenica pushed more players forward after falling behind, but Zrinjski’s back line held its shape and protected the lead. The visitors used their substitutions to disrupt Celik Zenica’s rhythm and run down the clock in the closing stages. The clean sheet was the product of Zrinjski’s control after the opening goal, and Celik Zenica could not find a reply.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of NK Celik Zenica 1, Zrinjski 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Zrinjski with a 70.9 percent probability to win. Zrinjski had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.25. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.