The penultimate round of the Lithuanian A Lyga confirmed the final team to qualify for European competition next season, as last year’s champions FK Žalgiris defeated FC Hegelmann 3-1 at home. Their closest rivals FK Sūduva failed to beat FA Šiauliai, ending their hopes of a top-three finish and a European spot.
With FK Panevėžys already qualified for Europe as Lithuanian Cup winners, the league’s top three finishers were guaranteed continental football. Before this round, Žalgiris held a one-point lead over Sūduva, meaning any Žalgiris victory combined with dropped points from Sūduva would secure their place.
Žalgiris, under coach Rolandas Džiaukšta, came into the match unbeaten in seven games (six wins and one draw) since his appointment. However, the start was tense – Abdel Kader Njoya gave Hegelmann the lead in the 18th minute, only for Nemanja Mihajlović to equalise two minutes later.
Shortly before halftime, club legend Liviu Antal continued his remarkable scoring form, finding the net for the eighth consecutive match – all under Džiaukšta – to make it 2-1. It was his 12th goal of the season.
In the second half, Žalgiris extended their advantage when Vilius Armalis accidentally turned the ball into his own net, sealing a 3-1 win. The result keeps Žalgiris unbeaten in eight games under Džiaukšta and guarantees them at least third place and a return to European competition. They still have a chance to finish second – needing a win over FK Panevėžys next weekend and a Hegelmann slip-up against FK Sūduva.
FK Žalgiris vs FC Hegelmann – 3:1 (2:1)
Goals: Mihajlovic 20′, Antal 45′, Armalas 71′ (Own goal) | Njoya 18′
Sūduva, meanwhile, saw their European hopes end after a 2-2 home draw with FA Šiauliai. The visitors went 2-0 ahead early in the second half through Milan Djokić and league top scorer Eligijus Jankauskas – his 18th goal of the season. Sūduva responded through Žygimantas Baltrūnas, who scored his first-ever A Lyga goal, and Sidy Sanokho in the 89th minute, but they couldn’t find a winner. The result leaves them fourth in the standings.
FK Sūduva vs FA Šiauliai – 2:2 (0:1)
Goals: Baltrūnas 55′, Sinokho 89′ | Djokic 16′, Jankauskas 52′
Elsewhere, newly crowned champions FK Kauno Žalgiris defeated FK Panevėžys 3-2. Tomas Stelmokas scored his first goal for Kauno Žalgiris to open the scoring, before Kwadmo Asamoah levelled. Jair Tavares restored the lead for the hosts, but Isaac Asante equalised again = only for Amine Benchaib to net the decisive goal late on, scoring his 15th of the season against his former club.
FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FK Paņevežys – 3:2 (1:1)
Goals: Stelmokas 4′, Tavares 64′, Benchaib 88′ | Asamoah 39′, Asante 71′
In other matches, FC Džiugas Telšiai claimed a 4-1 win over FK Riteriai, while FK Banga Gargždai routed DFK Dainava Alytus 6-0. Ignas Venckus scored twice, taking his tally to four goals in his last three matches.
FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Riteriai – 4:1 (1:0)
Goals: Cisse 43′ Bunchukov 49′, Sobowale 52′, Vermeulen 62′ | Acolatse 90+4′
FK Banga Gargždai vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 6:0 (2:0)
Goals: Venckus 6′ 29′, Olugbogi 50′, Antužis 53′, Filipavičius 68′, Seedorf 77′
The final round next Sunday will settle just two remaining battles – second place between Hegelmann and Žalgiris, and sixth place between Panevėžys and Džiugas.
A Lyga Matchday 35:
- 02.11.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 6:0
- 02.11.2025 – FK Žalgiris vs FC Hegelmann – 3:1
- 02.11.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FA Šiauliai – 2:2
- 02.11.2025 – FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FK Paņevežys – 3:2
- 02.11.2025 – FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Riteriai – 4:1
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Kauno Žalgiris | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 41 | 74 |
| 2 | Hegelmann FC | 35 | 20 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 64 |
| 3 | FK Žalgiris | 35 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 62 |
| 4 | FK Sūduva | 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 59 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 51 |
| 6 | FK Panevėžys | 35 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 46 |
| 7 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -8 | 45 |
| 8 | FK Banga Gargždai | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 41 |
| 9 | FK Riteriai | 35 | 6 | 7 | 22 | -37 | 25 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 35 | 3 | 8 | 24 | -49 | 17 |
