In the opening match of Matchday 2 in the Latvian football Virslīga, Riga FC and FK Auda played to a 2-2 draw. Gauthier Mankenda provided two assists in the game, while the equalizing goal in the 81st minute was scored by Auda’s Matheus Clemente.
Historically, Riga FC has performed well against FK Auda in the Virslīga. From 2022, they won their first 11 encounters against Auda. However, last season marked the first time in history that FK Auda earned a point against Riga FC, drawing 2-2 in Matchday 29, thanks to a stunning goal from El Hadj Mane at the end.
Leading up to this match, there was a sense that Jurģis Kalns’ side could pose a challenge for Riga FC. They had played exceptionally well until receiving a red card in their previous Matchday 1 defeat against RFS (1-2). In contrast, Riga FC had secured a 2-0 victory over SK Super Nova.
Riga FC made one change to their starting lineup, replacing Peruvian international Grimaldo with Ankrah. FK Auda made three changes: Ozols came in goal for Matrevics, Jeudi Stevenson took the place of the injured Abdel Kadel Traore, and the suspended Wassom was not included in Auda’s lineup today with Kone coming in.
The first half was entertaining, but neither team scored. Last season’s top Virslīga goal scorer, Reginaldo Ramires, had several good chances, while Auda focused on penetrating Riga defense, as both teams showcased an open style of football.
At the start of the second half, a clumsy challenge by Gauthier Mankenda on Emīls Birka resulted in a penalty kick. After a VAR review, the referee upheld the decision, and Bolivian Enzo Monteiro converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way; it was Monteiro’s first Virslīga goal. This also marked the first time in history that FK Auda took the lead against Riga FC.
However, the celebrations were short-lived as Mankenda redeemed himself by setting up Reginaldo Ramires, who scored his first goal of the season. Just 11 minutes later, Mankenda made another significant play after a great individual dribble, he passed to Brian Pena in the middle of the box. Pena took a shot and scored, marking his third goal in the first two league games of the season. It seemed like Riga FC was heading towards a narrow victory against Auda.
But Riga FC became complacent in the following minutes, and FK Auda capitalized on this lapse. In the 81st minute, Matheus Clemente took a long-range shot that deflected off Riga defender Babah Musah and into the goal, prompting celebrations from the FK Auda players and staff as the score equalized at 2-2.
After the goal, Riga made a triple substitution, bringing in Regža, Grimaldo, and Dašķevičs. This energized them as they aimed for a third goal. However, this change opened up their defense, leading to end-to-end action in the last minutes as both teams sought the game-winner. Ultimately, referee Andris Treimanis blew the final whistle, and both teams settled for a point.
Riga FC’s next league match will be on Saturday against FS Jelgava, while FK Auda will look for their first win of the season on Sunday when they host SK Super Nova.
Riga FC vs FK Auda – 2:2 (0:0)
Goals: Ramires 52′, Pena 63′ | Monteiro 50′ (Penalty kick), Clemente 81′
Yellow Card: Černomordijs 29′, Ankrah 87′ | Pontelo 5′, Meļņiks 41′, Hrvoj 55′,
RIG: Zviedris – Ngom, Musah, Černomordijs, Jurkovskis – Galo (Grimaldo 84′), Ankrah – Mankenda (Diop 74′), Siqueira (Contreras 60′), Pena (Dašķevičs 84′) – Ramires (Regža 84′)
AUD: Ozols – Hrvoj, Meļņiks, Rafael Pontelo, Birka – Clemente, Varslavāns, Kone (Kragļiks 46′) – Ogunniyi (Rubenis 64′), Monteiro (Ogunji 89′), Stevenson (Diawara 90+4′)
Referee: Andris Treimanis
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | FC RFS | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 12 |
| 2 | BFC Daugavpils | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 3 | FK Metta | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 9 |
| 4 | Riga FC | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| 5 | FK Liepāja | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | FK Auda | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 7 | FK Tukums 2000 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
| 8 | FS Jelgava | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
| 9 | SK Super Nova | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | FK Grobiņa | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -6 | 4 |