Liepāja and Jelgava share points in four-goal classic; Daugavpils deny Super Nova at the death

The Latvian Virslīga 34th round produced two thrilling encounters that both ended with identical 2-2 scorelines. FK Liepāja shared the points with FS Jelgava, while BFC Daugavpils were held to a draw by SK Super Nova.

Having already secured the bronze medals in the previous round, FK Liepāja hosted FS Jelgava – a team that only needed a point to guarantee their top-flight status for next season.

The hosts made the perfect start. In the 10th minute, Marin Lausić delivered a precise pass down the right flank to Djibril Gueye, who stormed into the penalty area and slotted past Czech goalkeeper Adam Dvořák to give Liepāja the lead.

But the celebration was short-lived. Jelgava immediately hit back – a chaotic scramble in the box saw Rihards Bečers’ effort blocked, only for the ball to drop kindly to Kingsley Emenike, who made no mistake from close range to level the score at 1-1.

The action-packed first half continued to deliver. Both sides created big chances, but the goalkeepers stood firm – until Gueye struck again. After a corner kick, the Senegalese forward was left unmarked at the far post and headed in his 18th goal of the season, restoring Liepāja’s advantage.

Once more, Jelgava refused to fold. In the 37th minute, Kristers Penkēvics unleashed a powerful long-range strike that deflected off Emenike and into the net – his ninth goal of the campaign, bringing the score back to 2–2.

Before the break, Jelgava could have taken the lead, but Liepāja’s Montenegrin goalkeeper Danijel Petković produced two fantastic saves to deny both Hašek brothers.

The tempo slowed in the second half as rain fell over Liepāja. Jelgava continued to push for a winner, but Petković remained solid between the posts. In stoppage time, substitute Abiodun Ogunniyi came close to snatching victory for the hosts, but Dvořák’s brave save ensured the match ended all square.

It was the first draw between the two sides this season, with Liepāja having won all three previous league meetings.

FK Liepāja vs FS Jelgava – 2:2 (2:2)
Goals: Gueye 10′ 23′ | Emenike 12′ 37′

Earlier in the day, BFC Daugavpils and SK Super Nova played out another pulsating 2-2 draw that went right down to the final seconds.

The home team opened the scoring when Promise Victor headed in Valerijs Lizunovs’ pinpoint cross. The first half was rather quiet, but the pace quickened immediately after the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Kristers Čudars forced a brilliant save from Jānis Beks, who tipped his long-range effort over the bar.

Super Nova began to take control and were inches away from equalizing when the ball struck the post. Their persistence finally paid off in the 57th minute, as Mārcis Ošs powered a header home from a corner to make it 1-1.

Ten minutes later, the visitors took a surprise lead – a curling cross from Marchuk evaded Beks, and Jegors Cīrulis reacted quickest to fire it straight into the net for 2-1.

Super Nova, desperate for three crucial points in their relegation fight, defended bravely and looked set to climb above FK Grobiņa into eighth place. But football can be cruel – in the sixth minute of added time, Daugavpils found a dramatic equalizer.

Goalkeeper Beks launched a long ball into the box, Wasiri Williams won the initial header, and Valerijs Lizunovs reacted fastest to nod home from close range, salvaging a point for the hosts with the final touch of the match.

For Super Nova, the draw felt like defeat – they remain ninth in the standings, one point behind FK Grobiņa, while FK Metta sit bottom, now five points adrift of Ervīns Pērkons’ men.

BFC Daugavpils vs SK Super Nova – 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Victor 38′, Lizunovs 90+6′ | Ošs 57′, Cīrulis 67′

Virslīga Matchday 34:

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