Paide Linnameeskond strengthened their push for a European place with a 2-0 victory over Pärnu Vaprus in their rearranged Premium Liiga fixture, with Juan Palacios scoring both goals for the hosts.
Paide entered the match needing points in their battle for third place, while Vaprus were looking to increase their advantage over the teams fighting to avoid the relegation play-off. The hosts were without suspended Henri Anier and Martin Miller, while Ebrima Jarju also remained unavailable. Marko Meerits started in goal, with Siim Luts on the wing and Kristofer Piht leading the attack.
Paide needed less than four minutes to take the lead. Edgar Tur delivered the ball from the right towards the far side of the six-yard box, where Juan Palacios arrived at the perfect moment and guided it into the net to make it 1-0.
The hosts controlled much of the opening period, but Vaprus gradually grew into the contest and began causing problems. One of the biggest talking points came midway through the first half when Modou Sohna was initially shown a straight red card for a challenge on Tristan Pajo. VAR intervened and, after reviewing the incident, the referee changed his decision to a yellow card, allowing Paide to continue with eleven players.
Vaprus became increasingly dangerous towards the end of the first half. Matthias Limberg was played through on goal but Marko Meerits produced an important save, while Tristan Pajo had an even better opportunity after an excellent pass from Sander Sild left him free inside the penalty area. Pajo, however, sent his effort over the crossbar and Paide went into the break with their 1-0 advantage intact.
The second half developed into a much more open contest. Vaprus continued searching for an equaliser, while Paide found increasing amounts of space at the other end. Palacios created a good opportunity for Kristofer Piht from close range, but his effort took a deflection and went wide. Piht later had another excellent chance from inside the six-yard box, only for Ott Nõmm to deny him.
Vaprus also had opportunities to level the score. Marko Meerits was forced into saves from Mathias Villota and Sten Jakob Viidas, while a clever corner from Pajo in the 84th minute was directed across goal by Sild. Märten Seppik found himself in a promising position around six metres from goal but could not direct the ball between the posts.
With Vaprus pushing more players forward in search of an equaliser, Paide began finding space on the counterattack. Palacios almost scored his second after Ramon Smirnov played him into a shooting position, but the Colombian sent his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
The second goal finally arrived in stoppage time. Daniel Luts delivered the ball across the face of goal, where Palacios was once again in the right place at the right time to finish from close range. His second goal of the evening secured Paide’s 2-0 victory and three important points in their battle for a European place.
Paide Linnameeskond vs Pärnu Vaprus – 2-0 (1-0)
Goals: Palacios 4′ 90+2′
| # | 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 |  Paide |
28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 45 | 35 | 10 | 48 |
| 4 |  Nõmme Kalju |
28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 49 | 26 | 23 | 47 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
27 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 44 |
| 6 |  Harju |
28 | 11 | 1 | 16 | 40 | 47 | -7 | 34 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 37 | 54 | -17 | 34 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
28 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 31 | 49 | -18 | 28 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
28 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 46 | 65 | -19 | 28 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
28 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 21 | 64 | -43 | 18 |
