Latvian international midfielder Lūkass Vapne came off the bench for the first time this season and delivered a crucial assist, as Sogndal IL scored twice in stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw against Kongsvinger.
The 22-year-old, who had started each of the first 23 league games this season, was left out of the starting lineup for the first time and began on the bench. Sogndal entered the match looking to halt a two-game losing streak, but fell behind late in the first half through a goal from Lucas Haren.
Vapne was introduced in the 70th minute with his side trailing 1-0, but minutes later Kongsvinger doubled their lead through Martin Vinjor. The visitors were then reduced to ten men, giving Sogndal renewed hope.
That hope turned into late drama. Preben Asp pulled one back in stoppage time, and in the 97th minute Vapne’s precise cross was met by veteran defender Per-Egil Flo, who headed in the equalizer.
The draw lifted Sogndal into 6th place on 36 points after 24 matches. Vapne, now with four goals and four assists in 24 league appearances this season, will look to continue his strong form in a crucial away match next Saturday against Aalesund, who sit just two points ahead.
In the Swiss Super League, Latvian international Andrejs Cigaņiks once again came off the bench as his Luzern side held on for a surprising 2-1 away victory against defending champions and UEFA Europa League participants FC Basel.
Luzern struck first through Tyron Owusu in the opening stages, but Basel leveled early in the second half thanks to Dominik Schmid. The visitors responded quickly, however, with 18-year-old Portuguese U20 international Luas Manuel Ferreira scoring for the third consecutive match to restore the lead.
Cigaņiks entered the game in the 74th minute and helped his team protect the advantage, sealing Luzern’s first league win in over a month.
The 28-year-old left-back has now made six appearances this season. Luzern sit 7th in the table with 11 points from seven matches and will next face FC Sion at home on Saturday.
