RFS produced a remarkable late escape in the closing match of Virslīga Matchday 30, scoring twice in stoppage time to come from behind and beat BFC Daugavpils 2-1. The dramatic victory increased the league leaders’ advantage over nearest challengers Riga FC to six points.
Daugavpils took the lead in the 16th minute after a sharp counter-attack. Joel Yakubu found space down the left and played Abdoul Kader Traore through, with the Ivorian attacker getting away from Herdi Prenga before finishing confidently with his left foot into the top corner.
It was Traore’s second goal in as many matches after also scoring in the 1-1 draw against Riga FC, and Daugavpils continued to cause problems on the break. Daniel Kiwinda had one of their better opportunities later in the first half, but fired over from a promising position.
RFS had started brightly and created several early openings, with Stefan Panic forcing Jānis Beks into a save from a header and Rostand Ndjiki also testing the goalkeeper from distance. Their overall first-half display, however, lacked its usual sharpness and they went into the interval trailing 0-1.
Viktors Morozs reacted aggressively at half-time, introducing Lasha Odisharia, Modou Saidy and Darko Lemajic. RFS began to apply more pressure, although Daugavpils remained dangerous whenever they managed to break forward.
Lemajic had several headed chances after the restart, while Saidy forced Beks into a low save from distance. Žiga Lipušček was introduced midway through the half and quickly became increasingly important in the visitors’ search for an equaliser.
As the game entered its final minutes, Daugavpils still looked set to hold on for a major victory. That changed in the 90th minute. Dmitrijs Zelenkovs played the ball into the penalty area and Lipušček struck towards goal. Ceti Tchibinda attempted to block the effort with his head, but the touch redirected the ball away from the already committed Beks and into the opposite corner for 1-1.
RFS were not satisfied with a point. Deep into stoppage time, Lipušček again became the central figure when he got onto the ball inside the penalty area and went down as Beks rushed from his goal. Referee Ingus Puriņš awarded a penalty, a decision that looked debatable, but VAR did not overturn the call.
Panic took responsibility from the spot and made no mistake, sending the penalty into the top-right corner in the 94th minute to complete a stunning turnaround.
Daugavpils still had one final opportunity in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Rihards Matrevics denied Doukumo Ayebadiepreye to protect the victory.
RFS had spent almost the entire match behind, but two goals in the closing minutes transformed the result completely. The leaders left Daugavpils with all three points and, following Riga FC’s draw against Auda, now hold a six-point advantage at the top of the Virslīga table.
BFC Daugavpils vs FC RFS – 1-2 (1-0)
Goals: Traore 16′ | Lipušček 90′, Panic 90+4′ (Penalty kick)
Next matches:
BFC Daugavpils (a) FK Liepāja – September 19
RFS (a) FK Auda – September 20
# Team P
W D L
GF GA GD Pts
1
RFS29
23
4
2
70
21
49
73
2
Riga FC29
20
7
2
84
30
54
67
3
FK Auda29
17
6
6
47
29
18
57
4
FK Liepāja30
12
6
12
41
43
-2
42
5
BFC Daugavpils30
10
8
12
35
35
0
38
6
Super Nova28
10
5
13
29
38
-9
35
7
FS Jelgava30
8
8
14
32
48
-16
32
8
Grobiņa30
5
10
15
20
51
-31
25
9
FK Tukums 200030
5
8
17
43
60
-17
23
10
Ogre United29
3
6
20
29
75
-46
15
