The final matchday of the Latvian Virslīga produced one of the most dramatic relegation battles in recent memory, with SK Super Nova and FK Grobiņa securing their top-flight status – while FK Metta’s 14-year stay in the Virslīga came to a heartbreaking end.
Heading into the last round, three teams were still fighting to avoid relegation: FK Grobiņa (8th place), SK Super Nova (9th), and FK Metta (10th). Grobiņa needed just a point to guarantee avoiding the automatic relegation, while Metta and Super Nova required victories and help from elsewhere.
The tension started early. In Liepāja, Grobiņa fell behind within the first minute as Kemehlo Nguena surprised goalkeeper Frenks Dāvids Orols to give FK Auda the lead. Moments later, in Jūrmala, BFC Daugavpils struck first through Valerijs Lizunovs, putting Metta in deep trouble. But Metta quickly responded – Sadiq Saleh converted from close range to equalize and keep hopes alive.
Grobiņa’s misery deepened as Mykola Agapov missed a penalty before Ousmane Camara doubled Auda’s lead to 2-0. At nearly the same time, in Riga, SK Super Nova took the lead against FK Liepāja thanks to Kristers Čudars from the penalty spot. That result temporarily lifted Super Nova to 8th, dropping Grobiņa into the relegation zone.
Moments before halftime, Mohamed Kamara scored for Metta to make it 2-1 against Daugavpils – a result that would have seen Grobiņa finish last. The tension only increased when Super Nova went 2-0 up through Dmytro Sula, as live standings swung wildly between all three clubs.
Early in the second half, both Metta and Super Nova extended their leads – Artem Marchuk made it 3-0 for the latter, while Saleh scored again for Metta to make it 3-1. Grobiņa were staring at relegation and needed at least two goals to survive.
They found a lifeline when former Metta academy player Artjoms Puzirevskis scored from a corner to make it 1-2. With half an hour left, Grobiņa threw everything forward. Auda goalkeeper Kristers Gabriels Bite produced several vital saves, but the visitors were reduced to ten men after Moussa Ouedraogo received his second yellow card seven minutes from time.
Grobiņa took full advantage. Mykola Agapov, redeeming himself for his earlier miss, scored from close range to level the match 2-2. That goal completely changed the relegation picture – Metta dropped to 10th and the relegation zone.
Despite eight minutes of added time, Metta couldn’t find a way back. The final whistle confirmed Grobiņa’s dramatic survival and Super Nova’s escape, while FK Metta, after 14 consecutive seasons in Latvia’s top division, were relegated to the Nākotnes Līga.
Grobiņa, meanwhile, will face JDFS Alberts for the second consecutive year in the promotion/relegation playoff to determine their place in next year’s Virslīga.
FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 2:2 (0:2)
Goals: Puzirevskis 62′, Agapov 88′ | Nguena 1′, Camara 20′
FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 3:1 (2:1)
Goals: Saleh 18′ 47′, M.Kamara 39′ | Lizunovs 16′
SK Super Nova vs FK Liepāja – 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Čudars 22′ (Penalty kick), Sula 42′, Marchuk 47′
Virslīga Matchday 36:
- 07.11.2025 – Riga FC vs FC RFS – 3:4
- 09.11.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 2:2
- 09.11.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Liepāja – 3:0
- 09.11.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FS Jelgava – 1:1
- 09.11.2025 – FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 3:1
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Riga FC | 36 | 27 | 7 | 2 | 59 | 88 |
| 2 | FC RFS | 36 | 28 | 3 | 5 | 61 | 87 |
| 3 | FK Liepāja | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 61 |
| 4 | BFC Daugavpils | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | -10 | 48 |
| 5 | FK Auda | 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | -5 | 45 |
| 6 | FS Jelgava | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | -7 | 38 |
| 7 | FK Tukums 2000 | 36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | -24 | 36 |
| 8 | SK Super Nova | 36 | 6 | 14 | 16 | -12 | 32 |
| 9 | FK Grobiņa | 36 | 8 | 8 | 20 | -31 | 32 |
| 10 | FK Metta | 36 | 8 | 7 | 21 | -35 | 31 |
