The spectacular cross-country derby belonged to the Lendavans, we are waiting for the Styrian

A dramatic Prekmurje derby concluded with a decisive victory for Lendava's team, Nafta 1903, who defeated Mura 5-2 in the third round of the Slovenian First Football League. The match took place in the early hours of Sunday, marking the start of a new phase in the league season. The result saw Nafta climb temporarily to the top of the standings, while Mura continued its promising campaign with four points from two matches. The game was played at Nafta's home ground, where the hosts displayed exceptional attacking efficiency, scoring five goals within the first hour and maintaining control throughout the second half. The match began with immediate intensity, as both teams sought to establish dominance in the opening minutes. In the third minute, Nino Kouter opened the scoring for Mura after a long-range shot just cleared Nafta's goalpost. However, Lendava quickly responded in the following minute. Ivan Borna Jelić Balta lost possession near the edge of the penalty area, allowing Anis Jašaragić to intercept and score, though the referee initially ruled the play offside before confirming the goal. This early strike set the tone for a fast-paced encounter, with both sides trading chances in the first half. Despite Mura's efforts to regain momentum, Nafta continued their offensive pressure. In the 31st minute, a low cross from the left found Amadej Maroša, who calmly finished past the goalkeeper to extend the lead. Mura managed to reduce the deficit shortly afterward, with Kristjan Trdin scoring a well-taken header in the 39th minute after a corner kick. However, this reprieve proved fleeting, as Nafta added another goal in the 51st minute through Luka Pihler, capitalizing on a defensive error by Mura's goalkeeper Žigo Fermišek. The second half saw Nafta continue their relentless assault. Josip Ivan Zorica scored twice in quick succession, netting his first goal in the 56th minute and adding another in the 59th minute after a swift counterattack. By halftime, the score stood at 4-1 in favor of Nafta, and the game became increasingly one-sided as the visitors struggled to contain the home side's attacks. In the final stages of the match, Nafta added two more goals to secure their comprehensive victory. Alen Korošec scored in the 70th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box, and despite Fermišek's valiant efforts to prevent further damage, the game ended 5-2. The final whistle came in the 87th minute, with Mura unable to mount a serious challenge against Nafta's dominant display. The results of the third round of the Slovenian First Football League were as follows: Saturday: Mura - Nafta 1903 (Trdin 39., Korošec 70.) (Zorica 21., 56., Maroša 31., Pihler 51., Jašaragić 59.) Sunday: Celje - Maribor (20:15) Radomlje - Bravo (18:00) Olimpija Ljubljana - Aluminij (20:15) Brinje Grosuplje - Koper (20:15) With the weekend fixtures set to continue, fans will be watching closely as the competition intensifies. The upcoming match between Maribor and Celje promises to be another highlight, with both teams eager to make their mark in the league. As the season progresses, the performances of these teams will likely shape the trajectory of the championship race.