Marko Regža scores brace as Riga FC survive late scare to edge Metta

In the final fixture of Round 24 in the TonyBet Latvian Virslīga, league leaders Riga FC built a commanding three-goal lead but were forced to dig deep in the closing minutes to hold off last-placed FK Metta in a tense 3–2 home victory. Marko Regža starred with a brace, helping his side secure a vital win just days before their UEFA Europa Conference League return leg in Georgia.

Adrians Gul’a’s men returned home to face FK Metta ahead of their European clash against FC Dila Gori. Riga FC came into the game looking to extend their winning ways after bouncing back from a frustrating 0–0 draw with BFC Daugavpils – a result that ended their 15-match winning streak and denied them a new all-time Virslīga record for most consecutive victories in a single season. The bounce-back came in dramatic fashion with a last-minute winner against FK Liepāja last weekend.

To keep his squad fresh ahead of European duties, coach Gul’a rotated the lineup. Emīls Birka replaced the suspended Maksims Toņiševs, while several changes were made in attack, with Iago Siqueira only attacking player retaining his place from the midweek European match.

Metta, meanwhile, made a notable adjustment after a heavy defeat to RFS, with coach Andris Riherts handing a league debut in goal to 17-year-old academy product Krists Pļaviņš.

Riga FC immediately piled pressure on the young keeper, and it paid off in the 18th minute. Brian Peña showed great control inside the box, flicking the ball toward Marko Regža, who curled a superb finish into the far corner to give the hosts the lead.

The advantage was doubled in the 37th minute, as Regža struck again – this time from outside the box – after being teed up by former Costa Rican international Anthony Contreras.

Riga continued to dominate after the break, and just six minutes into the second half, they made it 3-0. Emīls Birka delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, which Contreras headed home for his sixth goal of the season. It also marked Birka’s ninth assist of the campaign – eight of which came in an FK Auda shirt before his summer move.

But the match was far from over. Shortly after Riga’s third, Metta were awarded a penalty following a foul by Orlando Galo on Emīls Evelons. Markuss Ivulāns calmly converted from the spot, scoring his fifth goal of the season and becoming Metta’s top scorer.

With the score at 3-1, Riga seemed to ease off, and Metta took full advantage. In the 79th minute, substitute Sadiq Saleh made an instant impact, launching a spectacular solo run and firing a shot into the top-right corner from the edge of the box – his first-ever Virslīga goal.

Metta pushed for an equalizer in the dying minutes, and coach Riherts even gave a top-flight debut to 17-year-old Henrijs Gulbis. One final scare came in stoppage time, but Riga FC managed to hold on, securing a crucial three points that restore their three-point lead at the top of the table over second-placed RFS.

Riga FC now turn their attention to continental competition, as they prepare to travel to Georgia for Thursday’s decisive Conference League second leg against Dila Gori.

Riga FC vs FK Metta – 3:2 (2:0)
Goals: Regža 18′ 37′, Contreras 51′ | Ivulāns 54′ (11 M), Saleh 79′
RIG: Zviedris, Jurkovskis, Černomordijs, Musah (Wassom 58′), Birka, Ankrah (Grimaldo 58′), Siqueira (Galo 46′), Mankendāa, Pena, Contreras (Ngom 87′), Regža (Taiwo 78′)
MET: Pļaviņš, Scremin, Kangars, M. Kamara, Minkevičs, Evelons (Saleh 62′), Rēķis (Kļavinskis 46′), Cēsnieks, Molotkovs, Ivulāns (Bangura 62′), S. Kamara (Gulbis 90’+1)

Virslīga Matchday 24 games:

• 26.07.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Grobiņa – 0:0
• 26.07.2025 – FC RFS vs FK Tukums 2000 – 6:2
• 27.07.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FS Jelgava – 2:0
• 27.07.2025 – FK Liepāja vs FK Auda – 2:0
• 27.07.2025 – Riga FC vs FK Metta – 3:2