The long wait is finally over. After five years of chasing the top, Riga FC have reclaimed the Latvian Virslīga title, clinching the championship with a goalless draw against FK Tukums 2000. The single point was enough to secure their first league triumph since 2020, sparking celebrations in the capital.
Riga FC manager Adrian Guľa fielded his strongest possible lineup for the decisive match, while Tukums coach Kristaps Dišlers was forced to cope without two key players – Rūdolfs Reingolcs and Niks Dusalijevs, both serving suspensions.
Tukums started brightly, applying early pressure, but as expected, Riga soon took control of the game. Brazilian forward Iago Siqueira was a constant threat, creating several promising chances, while Tukums looked to strike on the counter. Their best opportunity came midway through the first half when Bogdans Samoilovs played a perfect through ball to Kurokawa, but the Japanese striker slipped just as he closed in on Krišjānis Zviedris, colliding with the Riga goalkeeper and earning a yellow card for his troubles.
From there, Riga tightened their grip. Joao Grimaldo saw his shot parried away by Ņikita Parfjonovs, while Siqueira again failed to convert a golden opportunity. Just before halftime, Reginaldo Ramires came inches away from connecting with a dangerous cross inside the six-yard box.
As the match wore on, Riga searched for the winning goal to crown their title in style, but Tukums nearly flipped the script in the second half – only to be denied by Zviedris, whose crucial saves kept Riga level. Substitution Brian Peña injected fresh energy into Riga’s attack, raising the tempo and lifting the atmosphere among the 1,200 spectators in attendance.
In the closing minutes, Riga needed only to keep a clean sheet – and they did just that. Despite a late scare from Tukums set-pieces, Riga held firm to secure the 2025 Virslīga title.
A goalless draw it may have been, but for Riga FC and their fans, it felt like the sweetest of victories – one that ended a five-year wait and restored the club to the summit of Latvian football.
Riga FC vs FK Tukums 2000 – 0:0 (0:0)
