Flora Tallinn came from behind twice before scoring a stoppage-time winner to defeat Nõmme United 3-2 in a dramatic Premium Liiga encounter, denying the hosts what looked set to be another memorable result against the reigning champions.
The meeting came after United had recorded their first-ever victory over Flora in the previous head-to-head in July, and the hosts once again showed from the opening stages that they were capable of causing serious problems. Flora controlled more of the possession early on, but United created the clearer opportunities.
Zakaria Beglarishvili was at the centre of much of United’s attacking play. Henri Järvelaid tested Evert Grünvald from distance, while Kevin Mätas also got into a promising position before an offside flag ended the move. Beglarishvili himself then forced Grünvald into a good low save with a long-range strike.
United came even closer in the 33rd minute when Beglarishvili found space close to goal and rattled the crossbar. Flora, meanwhile, struggled to create anything of real quality despite seeing plenty of the ball, with Erik Sorga, making his first Flora league start since 2019, largely kept quiet.
The pressure finally paid off just before half-time. Beglarishvili played an excellent pass into the path of Ivan Krasnov, whose effort took a deflection off Tristan Teeväli and went in off the crossbar. It was Krasnov’s first goal for United and gave the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead at the interval.
United remained dangerous after the restart. Aleksandr Alteberg tested Grünvald from distance, while Flora slowly began to produce more threat at the opposite end. Teeväli forced Georgi Pürg into a save from outside the penalty area, but United still looked capable of extending their advantage.
They almost did exactly that after Tristin Evans entered the match. Beglarishvili released the substitute into a dangerous position and Evans struck the post, giving Flora another warning.
That miss proved costly when Flora equalised in the 67th minute. Rauno Alliku found Remo Valdmets unmarked inside the penalty area and the midfielder calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
United’s response was almost immediate. Evans picked out Beglarishvili inside the penalty area, and the experienced Georgian worked the ball beyond Grünvald before finishing to restore the hosts’ lead at 2-1. The goal completed an excellent individual performance for Beglarishvili, who had already provided the assist for Krasnov’s opener.
United continued to look dangerous after retaking the lead, with Evans forcing Grünvald into another save, but Flora stayed alive and eventually found another way back.
The equaliser arrived late when Ilja Antonov delivered a corner into the penalty area and Teeväli met it with a header to make it 2-2. Flora were not finished. Deep into stoppage time, Alliku sent the ball across the face of goal and Taaniel Usta met it with a first-time finish, completing a dramatic turnaround and giving the visitors a 3-2 victory.
Nõmme United vs Flora Tallinn – 2-3 (1-0)
Goals: Krasnov 44′, Beglarashvili 70′ | Valdmets 67′, Teevali 89′, Usta 90+4′
Next matches:
Nõmme United (h) Paide Linnameeskond – September 19
Flora Tallinn (h) Parnu Vaprus – September 20
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
27 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 74 | 20 | 54 | 68 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
28 | 17 | 1 | 10 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 52 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 49 | 26 | 23 | 47 |
| 4 |  Paide |
26 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 42 | 33 | 9 | 45 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 33 | 37 | -4 | 41 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
27 | 10 | 4 | 13 | 37 | 52 | -15 | 34 |
| 7 |  Harju |
27 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 31 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
28 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 46 | 65 | -19 | 28 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
27 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 30 | 46 | -16 | 28 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
28 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 21 | 64 | -43 | 18 |
