Estonia successfully defended their Baltic Cup title and lifted the trophy for the third time in the last four editions after edging Lithuania 1-0 in Tallinn, denying their neighbours a first Baltic Cup triumph since 2010.
After both teams made changes following Saturday’s semi-finals, the final at A. Le Coq Arena was decided by a single goal from substitute Karel Mustmaa.
The opening stages were tightly contested, with neither side creating many clear opportunities. Lithuania looked to end their 16-year wait for the trophy, while Estonia were chasing back-to-back Baltic Cup titles after their triumph in 2024.
The first half produced few chances of note as both sides remained compact defensively. Estonia enjoyed periods of possession but found it difficult to break down the Lithuanian back line, while the visitors struggled to test Karl Jakob Hein in goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half when Estonia capitalised on one of their attacking moves. Karel Mustmaa, who had been called into the squad after injuries to Mark Anders Lepik and Rauno Sappinen, found the back of the net to send the home crowd into celebration.
Lithuania pushed forward in search of an equaliser and enjoyed more possession during the closing stages, but Estonia remained disciplined defensively and protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The victory secured Estonia’s sixth Baltic Cup title and allowed Jürgen Henn’s side to retain the trophy they won two years ago. For Lithuania, the wait for Baltic Cup success continues, with their last triumph still dating back to 2010 despite reaching the final on several occasions since then.
Earlier in the day, Latvia finished fourth after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Faroe Islands in the third-place match in Riga.
Estonia retain Baltic Cup to frustrate ambitious Lithuania
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