Regža breaks the RFS curse, Ankrah brace secures Riga FC derby win

Riga FC completed a thrilling second-half comeback to beat FC RFS 3-1 in Matchday 18 of the Latvian Virslīga, extending their lead at the top of the table to five points. This marks the first time since 2019 that Riga FC have won back-to-back league derbies against their city rivals.

Heading into the match, Riga FC held a two-point lead and were riding an 11-game winning streak, while RFS had won four straight. The season’s first derby ended 1-0 in favor of Riga, with Orlando Galo scoring the late winner. However, Galo was unavailable for this clash as he was away with the Costa Rican national team at the Gold Cup.

There were surprises in both lineups. Veteran goalkeeper Jevgeņijs Nerugals made his Virslīga season debut for RFS, starting ahead of Sergejs Vilkovs. While Georgian U21 international Lasha Odisharia who yesterday played in UEFA Euro U21 game was available for selection straight off the plane. For Riga, Latvian international Antonijs Černomordijs began on the bench.

Riga FC controlled the early stages, frequently attacking down the left where Meissa Diop troubled Haruna Njie. In the 8th minute, Diop created the first big chance with a tight-angle shot that was well saved by Nerugals. In the 16th minute, Gauthier Mankenda set up Reginaldo Ramires for a one-on-one opportunity, but once again Nerugals came up big.

RFS began to settle and created chances of their own, including a header by Jānis Ikaunieks and a deflected shot by Dmitrijs Zeļenkovs. Despite a more open and intense match, the first half ended 0-0.

After halftime, RFS made a change, bringing on Odisharia for Mor Talla Gaye. Riga nearly opened the scoring right away with a long-range shot from Siqueira, but Nerugals was equal to it. However, it was RFS who struck first. In the 49th minute, Riga goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris misjudged a header clearance, and Ikaunieks capitalized with a lob to make it 1-0.

Riga responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Mankenda’s short corner found Ankrah, who volleyed home to level the score. RFS nearly regained the lead through Ikaunieks, but Zviedris made a crucial save to redeem his earlier error.

The match turned more cautious after Riga’s top scorer Ramires was stretchered off in the 64th minute. RFS looked dangerous on the counter, while Riga continued probing down the flanks.

In front of a crowd of over 5,000, the breakthrough came again for Riga in the final moments. Diop, once again burning past Odisharia, set up substitute Marko Regža, who took one touch and calmly slotted home for his first ever goal against RFS in a Riga shirt.

Ankrah sealed the win in stoppage time with a powerful low shot from outside the box to secure a 3-1 victory and his second goal of the night.

Riga FC now sit five points clear at the top of the table, firmly in control of the title race and victorious in both derbies this season.

Riga FC vs FC RFS – 3:1 (0:0)
Goals: Ankrah 54’ 90+2’, Regža 88’ | Ikaunieks 51’
RIG: Zviedris, Jurkovskis, Ngom, Musah, Toņiševs, Ankrah, Diop (Černomordijs 90+5’), Grimaldo (Contreras 64’), Siqueira, Mankenda (Pena 77’), Ramires (Regža 64’)
RFS: Nerugals, Mareš (Savaļnieks 79’), Lipušček, Prenga, Njie, Karashima (Ndjiki 64’ Stuglis 89’), Panic, Zelenkovs, Ikaunieks, Talla (Odisharia 46’), Lemajic

Virslīga Matchday 18 games:

• 17.06.2025 – FK Metta vs BFC Daugavpils – 2:2
• 17.06.2025 – FK Tukums 2000 vs FS Jelgava – 1:1
• 17.06.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Liepāja – 1:3
• 18.06.2025 – FK Grobiņa vs FK Auda – 1:2
• 18.06.2025 – Riga FC vs FC RFS – 3:1