Riga FC climbed back to the top of the Tonybet Virslīga after recording a convincing 3-0 home victory over Jelgava in the opening match of the 22nd round.
The hosts needed just 11 minutes to break the deadlock. A well-worked passing move ended with Salah-Eddine Oulad finding Raki Aouani inside the penalty area, and the Tunisian winger calmly finished first time into the bottom corner.
Riga dominated the remainder of the first half and repeatedly tested Jelgava goalkeeper Adam Dvorak, who once again played every minute of his side’s league campaign this season. Antonijs Černomordijs came closest to doubling the advantage when his powerful volley struck the post, while Reginaldo Ramires was denied in a one-on-one situation by Dvorak after being played through by Iago Siqueira.
The pressure finally told early in the second half. Just three minutes after the restart, Ramires capitalised on a mistake by Milos Pudil before drilling a first-time finish into the bottom corner for his first goal since scoring against Ogre United in April.
Jelgava offered little attacking threat throughout the evening. Their best opportunities came shortly after the restart, but headers from Andris Deklavs and Pudil both missed the target. The visitors failed to register a single shot on target during the entire match.
Riga, meanwhile, continued to create chances. Dvorak produced several more saves to deny Meissa Diop, Aouani, Raivis Andris Jurkovskis and Salah-Eddine Oulad, while the hosts also struck the woodwork once during the opening half.
The victory was sealed deep into stoppage time when Juan Christian finished off a swift counterattack. Released by Ramires, the Brazilian cut inside from the left before firing a powerful right-footed strike into the bottom corner to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
The only concern for Riga FC came midway through the second half when Antonijs Černomordijs was forced off through injury and replaced by Maksims Toņiševs.
The victory lifts Riga onto 55 points, moving them above RFS into first place because of the better head to head record, although the reigning champions have played one match fewer. It also provides positive momentum before Riga travel to Armenia for the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday against Ararat-Armenia.
Jelgava remain fifth with 25 points, three behind fourth-placed Liepāja.
Riga FC vs FS Jelgava – 3-0 (1-0)
Goals: Aouani 11′, Ramires 48′, Juan Christian 90+3′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Riga FC |
22 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 65 | 19 | 46 | 55 |
| 2 |  RFS |
21 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 53 | 15 | 38 | 55 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
21 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 36 | 25 | 11 | 39 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
21 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 27 | 31 | -4 | 28 |
| 5 |  FS Jelgava |
22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 38 | -14 | 25 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
21 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 33 | -11 | 24 |
| 7 |  BFC Daugavpils |
21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 24 |
| 8 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
21 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 41 | -5 | 17 |
| 9 |  Grobiņa |
21 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 32 | -20 | 17 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
21 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 54 | -35 | 10 |
