BFC Daugavpils returned to winning ways in Tonybet Virslīga Matchday 19, defeating FK Grobiņa 1-0 at home in a match that featured two VAR-awarded penalties, one converted and one spectacularly missed.
Played in sweltering conditions on the artificial surface at Daugavpils’ Esplanāde Stadium, the opening half offered little in terms of tempo or clear-cut chances. The hosts looked the more threatening side early on, with Joel Yakubu and Abdoul Traore both forcing saves from Grobiņa goalkeeper Vjačeslavs Kudrjavcevs from distance.
Grobiņa’s best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 20th minute when Maksims Sidorovs delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, but Artjoms Puzirevskis could only direct his effort wide of the target. Shortly afterwards Rolandas Baravykas tested Jānis Beks with a powerful strike from outside the box, forcing the Daugavpils goalkeeper into a save,
The closest either side came before the interval fell to Rostand Ndjiki three minutes before half-time, but his low effort was once again kept out by Kudrjavcevs as the teams headed into the break locked at 0-0.
The match changed dramatically shortly after the restart. Initially play was allowed to continue when Ndjiki went down inside the Grobiņa penalty area following a challenge from Gļebs Kļuškins. However, after a VAR review, referee was called to the monitor and determined that Kļuškins had made illegal contact from behind. A penalty was awarded and William Mukwelle calmly converted from the spot to give Daugavpils a 1-0 lead.
Grobiņa responded well to falling behind and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Puzirevskis remained their main attacking threat, while Ali Aruna also came close, but Daugavpils goalkeeper Jānis Beks stood firm when called into action.
The match then descended into chaos during the closing stages. After Oladotun Olatunde-Matthew lost possession inside his own penalty area, Joel Yakubu reached the loose ball first and appeared to be brought down. Play continued initially and Grobiņa immediately launched a dangerous attack of their own, with Puzirevskis twice coming close from inside the box, only for Beks to produce two crucial saves.
Once the phase of play ended, VAR intervened again. Referee was called to the monitor for a second time and, after reviewing the incident, awarded another penalty to Daugavpils.
This time Rostand Ndjiki stepped up to take the kick, but the striker slipped during his run-up and blasted the ball over the crossbar, keeping Grobiņa’s hopes alive.
Despite the miss, the visitors were unable to create another meaningful opportunity and Daugavpils successfully protected their slender advantage until the final whistle.
The victory ends Daugavpils’ four-match winless run and lifts them into fifth place in the Virslīga standings on 23 points. Grobiņa remain level on 16 points with Jelgava in eighth and ninth place respectively.
The match also marked the final appearance in a Daugavpils shirt for Ukrainian Artem Garzha, who is set to continue his career in the Czech Republic with FK Teplice.
In the next round, Grobiņa will host FK Auda, while Daugavpils face another difficult home fixture against reigning champions Riga FC.
BFC Daugavpils vs FK Grobiņa 1-0 (0-0)
Goal: Mukwelle 54′ (Penalty kick)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
18 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 42 | 14 | 28 | 46 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 56 | 19 | 37 | 45 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 34 | 23 | 11 | 35 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 25 |
| 5 |  BFC Daugavpils |
19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 23 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 21 |
| 7 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 17 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 30 | -18 | 16 |
| 9 |  FS Jelgava |
18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 33 | -20 | 16 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
18 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 42 | -26 | 7 |
