In a dramatic European night in Rīga, FC RFS’s dream of reaching the UEFA Conference League main stage came to a heartbreaking end. Despite fighting back from an early setback, the Latvian champions could not overturn their first-leg deficit, drawing 2:2 with Hamrun Spartans and bowing out 2:3 on aggregate.
RFS coach Viktors Morozs, under pressure after a narrow 0:1 defeat in Malta, shuffled his lineup. Ismael Diomande earned his first start since returning from injury, while star midfielder Jānis Ikaunieks returned after serving a three-match suspension from the Champions League clash with Malmö FF. For Hamrun, Italian tactician Giacomo Modica made only one adjustment, bringing in Brazilian Emerson to replace Ante Ćorić.
The visitors stunned the home crowd early. A cross from the right found striker Malick Thioune, who outmuscled Roberts Savaļnieks at the far post and finished acrobatically past goalkeeper Marko Marić to double the Maltese champions’ aggregate advantage.
But RFS refused to wilt. Moments later, Savaļnieks won a free kick, and after some chaos in the penalty area, Mor Talla Gaye was tripped, leaving referee no choice but to point to the spot. Stefan Panić coolly converted to level the score on the night and put the hosts back in contention.
The goal ignited RFS, who poured forward with urgency. Hamrun struggled to contain their tempo, racking up three yellow cards inside the first 20 minutes. Both teams then traded huge chances – Joseph Mbong narrowly missed for the visitors, while Panić’s diving header forced a fine save, with Aleksandr Filipović somehow failing to convert the rebound from close range.
The break arrived with RFS still searching for the goal that would keep their European journey alive. After halftime, Morozs introduced Mārtiņš Ķigurs for Tayrell Wouter to inject fresh energy. In the 61st minute, Talla again created danger with a precise cross, but Diomande’s effort was denied by Bonello in Hamrun’s goal. Seconds later, Morozs made another chance by bringing on Virslīga top scorer Darko Lemajič for Diomande.
Yet it was Hamrun who struck next. Substitute Ante Ćorić delivered a pinpoint cross, met by Vincenzo Polito’s towering header to restore the visitors’ two-goal aggregate cushion. With only 20 minutes remaining, RFS faced the daunting task of scoring three – a feat they had not managed in Europe all season.
Hope briefly flickered in the 87th minute when Lemajič rose to head in a perfect Ikaunieks cross, sending theLNK Sports Park into a frenzy. At 2:2, RFS were one goal away from forcing extra time. With six minutes of added time, Morozs’s men threw everything forward, but Hamrun’s experienced side slowed the tempo, used every trick to run down the clock, and held firm.
When the final whistle blew, history was made: Hamrun Spartans became the first Maltese club ever to reach the main stages of a European competition. For Latvian football, it was a bitter end to the continental campaign, RFS left to rue missed chances and a mountain too steep to climb.
FC RFS vs Hamrun Spartans – 2:2 (1:1) – 2:3 on aggregate
Goals: Panič 17’ (Penalty kick), Lemajic 87’ | Thioune 12’ Polito 67’
RFS: Maric, Mares, Lipušček, Filipovič, Savaļnieks, Zelenkovs, Panic, Wouter (Ķigurs 55’), J.Ikaunieks, Talla (Diedhiou 75’), Diomande (Lemajic 63’)
HAM: Bonello, Compri, Emerson, Bjelicic, Camenzuli, Mbong, Polito, Ederson (Garcia 73’), Šimkus (Coric 65’), Thioune, Koffi
