Skrebels brace seals dramatic comeback win for Daugavpils over Grobiņa

In a thrilling match from the 20th round of the TonyBet Virslīga, BFC Daugavpils staged two comebacks to earn a vital 3–2 win over FK Grobiņa, thanks to a brace from Raivis Skrebels. The win snapped a four-game winless streak for the Daugavpils side and came with perfect timing as they gear up for European competition.

Coming into the match, Daugavpils hadn’t tasted victory since May 25, while Grobiņa were riding high after a surprising 1–0 away win over FS Jelgava in the previous round. Adding fuel to the fire, Grobiņa had narrowly defeated Daugavpils in both previous encounters this season—scoring dramatic late winners in the 87th and 88th minutes. This time, however, Daugavpils were determined to turn the tables.

The match exploded into life from the opening whistle. The hosts tested Grobiņa goalkeeper Nikita Pinčuks early, while in midfield, Ivorian youngster Toumani Diakité was punished for holding the ball too long near his own box. Gļebs Kļuškins capitalized, dispossessing him and curling in a beautiful strike from about 20 meters out to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

But Daugavpils hit back quickly. Just moments later, in the 12th minute, a well-coordinated African connection saw Malian forward Boubou Diallo finish off a neat assist from fellow Ivorian Kone to level the match at 1–1.

Despite the equalizer, Grobiņa continued to look the more composed side in the first half. Their patient build-up paid off in the 33rd minute when Italian midfielder Zakaria Sdaigui found former Daugavpils player Oļģerts Raščevskis in space just outside the box. The midfielder floated a precise strike over goalkeeper Jānis Beks and into the top corner to restore Grobiņa’s lead.

The second half belonged to Raivis Skrebels. The Daugavpils defender equalized in stunning fashion in the 53rd minute, smashing a volley from just outside the penalty area into the far top corner. It was a goal that lifted the entire stadium—and the team.

Daugavpils kept the pressure on, and in the 76th minute their relentless energy paid off. A deep set piece was sent into the box, and Skrebels—showing great positional instinct—was in the right place to knock the ball over the line from close range, completing the comeback at 3–2.

Grobiņa, despite their long journey and strong start, couldn’t muster a third win of the season over Daugavpils. To make matters worse, they finished the match with ten men after Cameroonian defender Boris Tchamba received a second yellow card in stoppage time.

For Daugavpils, the hard-fought win comes just in time before their European campaign begins. With renewed confidence, they now face high-profile matchups against league heavyweights RFS and Riga FC.

BFC Daugavpils vs FK Grobiņa – 3:2 (1:2)
Goals: Diallo 12′ Skrebels 53′ 75′ | Kļušķins 4′ Raščevskis 32′
DAU: Beks, Kudeļkins, Williams, Skrebels, Ivanovs, Taty, Diakite (Barkovskis 34′), Kone (Diedhiou 46′), Lizunovs, Diallo, Fofana (Mihaļcovs 84′)
GRO: Pinčuks, Družiņins, Tchamba, Sidorovs, Džeriņš (Leitāns 80′), Krautmanis (Fjodorovs 76′), Kļuškins (Kalmarzy 65′), Raščevskis, Gaučis (Grjaznovs 46′), Sdaigui, Dobrecovs

Virslīga Matchday 20 games:

• 25.06.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FK Liepāja – 1:3
• 26.06.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FK Grobiņa – 3:2
• 26.06.2025 – FS Jelgava vs FC RFS – 0:1
• 27.06.2025 – FK Auda vs Riga FC – 18:00
• 27.06.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Metta – 20:00