BFC Daugavpils delivered a shock result in their UEFA Conference League debut, defeating Albanian vice-champions KF Vllaznia 1–0 in a hard-fought away match with their only shot on target. The historic winner came late in the game, courtesy of 21-year-old academy product Valērijs Lizunovs.
Head coach Kirils Kurbatovs stuck with the same starting XI that recently held Riga FC to a draw, showing faith in a youthful side with no prior European experience. Despite facing a vastly more experienced opponent, Daugavpils settled into the match well, showing composure beyond their years.
The opening stages were marked by strong pressure from Vllaznia, but the Latvian visitors held firm. The first real chance for the hosts came in the 29th minute, when Albania U21 forward Kevin Dodaj broke through, only to be denied by a combination of goalkeeper Jānis Beks and defender Williams. Just minutes later, Dodaj was in again—this time one-on-one—but Beks came up with a brilliant foot save to keep the score level.
Dodaj continued to torment the Daugavpils backline and nearly broke the deadlock once more, but again Beks stood tall. The visitors were under intense pressure towards the end of the first half and were lucky to reach the break with the score still 0–0.
Interestingly, it wasn’t Albanian national team veteran Bekim Balaj who posed the biggest threat for the hosts, but rather the 15-years-younger academy graduate Dodaj, who caused repeated problems down the flank.
The second half followed a similar script, with Daugavpils defending deep and Vllaznia struggling to recreate their earlier momentum. Despite the pressure, clear-cut chances dried up for the Albanian side.
Daugavpils didn’t register a single shot until the 80th minute, when Gļebs Mihaļcovs fired a long-range effort well over the bar. But against all odds, the breakthrough came in the 85th minute. Substitute Dāvis Cucurs launched a throw-in and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Lizunovs rose highest and powered a header into the far corner. It was his first goal of the season and a moment of magic in a historic night for the Latvian club.
Vllaznia pushed for an equalizer in the final minutes, but Daugavpils’s resolute defense held firm to seal a stunning victory. The key to the win? Local talent. Both goalscorer Lizunovs and assist-provider Cucurs are homegrown products, and goalkeeper Jānis Beks was a standout performer with several crucial saves.
The return leg will be played next Thursday at LNK Sporta Parks in Latvia, with Daugavpils holding a valuable away goal and a real chance to progress further in their first-ever European campaign.
KF Vllaznia vs BFC Daugavpils – 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: Lizunovs 85′
VLL: Qarri, Gurishta, Kouros (Delaj 86′), Bajrami, Yago, Qato, Krymi (Mensah 66′), Sala (Mala 73′), Dodaj, Balaj, Kruja (Hakaj 73′)
DAU: Beks, Mihaļcovs, Kudeļkins, Williams, Taty, Diakite, Lizunovs, Saidy (Cucurs 56′), Ivanovs, Konate (Promise 68′), Diallo
UEFA Conference League 1st qualifying round
| Pair | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
| Nomme Kalju FC vs Partizani (ALB) | 1:1 | 1:0 | 2:1 (after ET) |
| FC Hegelmann vs St. Patrick's Athletic (IRL) | 0:1 | 0:2 | 0:3 |
| FK Auda vs Larne FC (NIR) | 0:0 | 2:3 | 2:3 (After PK) |
| Paide vs Magpies (GIB) | 3:2 | 4:1 | 7:3 |
| FC Flora vs Valur (ISL) | 0:3 | 1:2 | 1:5 |
| Daugavpils vs Vllaznia (ALB) | 1:0 | 2:4 | 3:4 |
| Kauno Žalgiris vs Penybont (WAL) | 3:0 | 1:1 | 4:1 |
