Kurilovec produced one of the biggest upsets in Croatian Cup history by defeating top-flight Istra 1961 2:1 in the round of 16 on November 5, 2025, at SRC Udarnik stadium in Velika Gorica.
Kurilovec dominated the first half, scoring through Mateo Pršir in the 13th minute after a rebound from a corner and Dominik Furmek in the 26th or 27th minute with a clinical finish, leading 2:0 at halftime. Istra mounted pressure in the second half, hitting the post via Prevljak in the 74th minute before Salim Fago Lawal pulled one back in the 75th minute, but Kurilovec held firm despite late substitutions.
Key performers for Kurilovec included captain Mijo Šarić, Luka Sedlaček, and goalscorers Pršir and Furmek; referee Zdenko Lovrić oversaw the match. As a fourth-division side, Kurilovec stunned the Prva HNL team, joining Hajduk, Slaven Belupo, Gorica, and Lokomotiva in the quarterfinals, with Dinamo, Rijeka, and Osijek still to play.
Media hailed it as an “absolute sensation,” with early chances from Sedlaček and Furmek signaling Kurilovec’s intent; Istra’s defense faltered despite efforts from players like Bangura. This advances Kurilovec to the last eight in the SuperSport Hrvatski nogometni kup.
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