Dinamo hadn't yet fired on all cylinders in this autumn part of the competition, only in the spring half-season, in that unforgettable blue spring, did they fly to the championship title with attractive performances. However, even in that autumn competition there were attractive performances, and the away match in Rijeka was particularly interesting. Dinamo led twice, the hosts equalized twice, the blues missed a penalty, and in the dying moments of the match they also failed to convert a great chance for victory.

The blues came to Kantrida for the 10th round match, after a 1-0 victory against Partizan in Zagreb, but the atmosphere was somewhat dampened by the red card that Boro Cetković received in the match against the black-and-whites. After that match, Cetković actually concluded his season and went to serve his military service. The injured captain Velimir Zajec also didn't play in the match at Kantrida. In Rijeka's squad, Miroslav Šugar was out of action. In Zajec's absence, Džemal Mustedanagić wore the captain's armband.

Even with the draw at Kantrida, Dinamo remained at the top of the table, the blues earned 13 points, and Partizan, Rijeka and Osijek had the same record.

Only about ten minutes had passed, and Dinamo was close to scoring. Stjepan Deverić advanced down the right flank, shot towards goal, Ive Jerolimov deflected the ball which then hit the post.

However, in the 16th minute the blues celebrated taking the lead. Petar Bručić delivered from a free kick on the right side, and Zoran Panić headed the ball into the net.

The Zagreb team came close to extending their lead to two goals in the 31st minute. Marko Mlinarić brilliantly set up Deverić who rushed into the penalty area, beat the defenders, rounded the goalkeeper, but at the crucial moment gave himself too heavy a touch. But the blues had an even bigger chance in the following minute. Bručić ran into the penalty area, was brought down by Miloš Hrstić, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Panić placed the ball on the white spot, but goalkeeper Neshet Zhavelli saved his shot.

The hosts soon threatened as well, Nikola Marjanović crossed from the right in the 37th minute, Edmond Tomić headed the ball towards the top corner, but Maksimir goalkeeper Marijan Vlak made a miraculous save to keep the ball out of the net.

At the start of the second half, Deverić found himself alone in front of the home goalkeeper Zhavelli who again reacted brilliantly and prevented a goal. This opened up space for his team to equalize. The hosts scored for 1-1 in the 54th minute, using the same pattern as Dinamo had earlier. Hrstić delivered from a free kick, and Jerolimov headed it into the net.

But the blues were back in front from the 59th minute. Mlinarić dribbled past several opposition defenders in his run, brilliantly set up Deverić who got his foot to the ball for another goal.

The move for another equalizer was initiated by Željko Janjanin in the 69th minute, he crossed from the right side, Milan Minta Ružić headed the ball back into the middle in a jump, and Boško Bursać scored from about ten meters.

Dinamo was close to victory in the 71st minute, Dragan Bošnjak hit the post from the edge of the penalty area, Panić ran onto the rebound, but failed to get a good connection and the ball flew over the empty goal.

Interestingly, the Rijeka team was led in a coaching role by Marijan Brnčić, one of Dinamo's celebrated defenders, a member of the golden generation that won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1967, a competition that later evolved into the UEFA Cup, today's Europa League. On the pitch in Rijeka's jersey also played former Dinamo player Željko Janjanin, brother of the more famous Rajko Janjanin, also a former Maksimir playmaker. Moreover, he was the most impressive player of the home team in that match.