Kauno Žalgiris cruise into Lithuanian Cup quarterfinals, three lower-league clubs also advance

The Lithuanian Cup round of 16 kicked off on Tuesday evening with four matches, headlined by the only clash between two Toplyga clubs where league leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris comfortably defeated troubled FK Riteriai 4-0. Meanwhile, second-tier clubs DFK Dainava Alytus, Vilniaus BFA and FK Minija also secured places in the quarterfinals.

In the standout tie between two top-flight sides, Riteriai at least managed to take the field this time. Earlier today the Lithuanian Football Federation officially handed the club a technical defeat and financial penalty after their recent league match against FK Panevėžys was cancelled because Riteriai failed to provide the mandatory medical crew for the game.

The Vilnius-based side continues to deal with major off-field problems, including unpaid salaries which have already led to several player and coaching departures. Their situation did not improve against reigning champions Kauno Žalgiris.

The visitors effectively decided the match already in the first half, scoring three goals through Amine Benchaib, Leo Ribeiro and Latvian international Dāvis Ikaunieks.

Kauno Žalgiris continued dominating after the break and although several more chances were missed, the visitors added a fourth goal late in the match when Argentine midfielder Franco Baldassarra scored his first goal in Lithuanian football. The visitors could have made the victory even more convincing, but Benchaib failed to convert a second-half penalty.

Elsewhere, Pirma Lyga side FK Minija needed extra time to finally overcome lower-division club FK Pempininkai. Although the final result finished 4-1, the score after regular time was tied at 1-1.

Japanese midfielder Kentaro Oikawa gave Minija the lead in the 72nd minute, but the home side equalised nine minutes before full time to force extra time. There, Minija’s quality eventually showed as Deividas Pipiras, Julius Kasparavičius and Nikita Komissarov all scored to send the club into the quarterfinals.

Another Pirma Lyga club also booked their place in the last eight as Vilniaus BFA came from behind to defeat fellow second-tier side Garliava 2-1 at home.

Meanwhile, DFK Dainava Alytus reached the Lithuanian Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2020 after defeating lower-league side Klaipėdos FM 2-0 with one goal scored in each half.

The remaining four Lithuanian Cup round of 16 matches will take place tomorrow.

Fresh off their recent league meeting, Toplyga clubs Džiugas Telšiai and Banga Gargždai will face each other once again, while FK TransINVEST host FC Hegelmann in another all-top-flight matchup. Cup holders FK Panevėžys and FA Šiauliai will also look to continue their cup runs against lower-division opposition.

Lithuanian Cup Round of 16:

Tuesday, 2026-05-19