In the TOPsport A Lyga Matchday 9 match, the defending champions FK Žalgiris suffered a surprising defeat, losing to FK Paņevežys with a score of 2:3.
The game began with a goal from the defending champions, as Henrique Devens scored with a header off a cross from Martynas Šetkus, giving Žalgiris an early 1:0 lead in his first start of the season.
Later in the first half, Žalgiris doubled their lead when 18-year-old Patrik Matyžonok capitalized on a through ball from Ofori and scored his first-ever A Lyga goal from a great position.
Paņevežys attempted to respond quickly, but Kouadio’s header hit the post. However, just before halftime, they managed to find their way back into the game. Salomon Kouadio’s initial diving header was saved by the Žalgiris goalkeeper, but the rebound came to Žalgiris defender Basila, who, making his first start of the season, accidentally scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball for a corner. This brought the score to 1:2.
At the start of the second half, Žalgiris had an excellent opportunity to regain a two-goal cushion when Tavares crossed the ball to the far post for Hadji. However, Hadji’s first-time shot was miraculously saved by Paņevežys’ goalkeeper, Vytautas Černiauskas, keeping the score at 1:2. This missed chance proved costly, as 15 minutes later, Žalgiris defender Yury Kendysh redirected a corner kick into his own goal, leveling the score at 2:2 and allowing Paņevežys to complete their comeback. They were not content with just a draw and pushed for more.
On a counter-attack, Lucas De Vega received a pass while running outside the box, cut toward the middle, and unleashed a stunning shot from around 22 meters out. The Žalgiris goalkeeper, Arpad Tordai, could not reach it, giving Paņevežys a surprising 3:2 lead over the defending champions.
In the closing minutes, Žalgiris fought to salvage at least one point and thought they had succeeded when Henrique Devens scored his second goal of the match. However, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, disallowing the goal. This ultimately led to Žalgiris suffering their second consecutive loss and their third defeat in the last four games. Meanwhile, Paņevežys celebrated their third win of the season.
After the first round of matches, FK Žalgiris has accumulated 12 points from nine games and sits in 6th place in the league table, while FK Paņevežys, with 10 points, is just one place behind the defending champions.
FK Žalgiris vs FK Paņevežys – 2:3 (2:1)
Goals: Henrique 3′, Matyžonok 24′ | Basila 45′ (Own goal), Kendysh 72′ (Own goal), De Vega 82′
Yellow Card: Henrique 33′
ŽAL: Tordai – Basila, Zahary, Kendysh, Tavares – Ofori – Matyžonok (Burba 64′), Hadji (Mihajlovic 64′), Verbickas, Šetkus – Henrique
PAN: Černiauskas – Rasimavičius, Dante, Januševskis, Krasniqi – Steponavičius (De Vega 68′), Vaičekauskas (Asante 82′), Simon (Kerkez 90+1′), Veliulis (Elivelton 68′) – Kouadio, Radunovic (Smith 90+1′)
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Hegelmann FC | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 21 |
| 2 | Kauno Žalgiris | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 18 |
| 3 | FK Sūduva | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 18 |
| 4 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 18 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 15 |
| 6 | FK Banga Gargždai | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| 7 | FK Žalgiris | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 12 |
| 8 | FK Panevėžys | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 11 |
| 9 | FK Riteriai | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -1 | 10 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | -12 | 2 |