Agyiri inspires Levadia’s revenge with brace against Kalju

Estonian champions FCI Levadia defeated Estonian Cup winners Nõmme Kalju 3–1 at A. Le Coq Arena in a rescheduled Premium Liiga Round 20 fixture, avenging their penalty shootout loss in the cup final a month ago.

This was the fifth meeting between the two sides this season. Prior to this match, both teams had won twice: Levadia claimed victories in the Supercup (3–2) and in the league (2–1), while Kalju had won a league match (2–0) and triumphed in the cup final after a 3–3 draw and 4–1 shootout win.

Both sides were missing key players: Levadia’s Joao Pedro and Kalju’s Modou Tambedou were suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Despite the absences, both teams came into the match with three straight wins and looking to maintain momentum before their European campaigns.

From the opening whistle, Levadia looked hungry. Ten minutes in, they had already forced two corners and maintained steady pressure in Kalju’s half. That pressure finally paid off in the 16th minute, when Ernest Agyiri pounced on a loose ball after two saves from Pavlov and slammed it past the defenders and into the net — 1–0 for Levadia!

VAR checked a potential foul on Pavlov in the build-up, but the goal stood. The champions were in front.

Kalju nearly equalized in the 25th minute when Tarassenkov found himself unmarked at the far post, but his attempt with a diving header was brilliantly saved by Vallner. Moments later, Roosnupp punished Kalju on the counter with a blistering long-range strike. Pavlov got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out. 2–0 Levadia, with Agyiri grabbing the assist.

Kalju looked shaky, and a near blunder by Pavlov nearly gifted Tambedou a third. Halftime came with Levadia fully in control.

The second half started with Kalju pushing higher. Their efforts bore fruit in the 53rd minute, when Tarassenkov carried the ball to the edge of the box and found Kristjan Kask, who slotted home a low shot into the bottom corner. Game on at 2–1!

But Kalju’s joy was short-lived. Barely two minutes later, Agyiri struck again — this time straight from a corner! Tambedou appeared to obstruct Pavlov, but after a quick check, the goal was allowed. Levadia led 3–1, and the match slipped further from Kalju’s grasp.

Agyiri nearly bagged a hat-trick in the 70th minute with a double attempt following a midfield interception, but his second shot rippled the side netting. Despite Kalju’s efforts, their attacking play fell apart late in the game, while Levadia remained composed and effective in managing possession and territory.

Levadia appealed for a handball late on after Musaba’s shot ricocheted off a defender, but referee Kristo Tohver waved it off — rightly so, as it seemed to deflect off the defender’s body first.

When the final whistle blew, Levadia were deserved 3–1 winners — and, at least temporarily, moved to the top of the league table. However, the outcome of the later clash between Paide and Flora could still shuffle the top spots.

FCI Levadia vs Nomme Kalju FC – 3:1 (2:0)
Goals: Agyiri 17′, 57′ Roosnupp 39′ | Kask 55′
LEV: Vallner, Liivak, Iboro, Mavretic, Tammik, Schjonning-Larsen, Agyiri (Skvortsov 84′), Ainsalu, Roosnupp (Zakarlyuka 73′), Musaba, Tambedou (Kirss 66′)
NOM: Pavlov, Siht, Mashchenko, Podholjuzin, Korre, Tarassenkov (Nikolajev 70′), Musolitin (Jabir 46′), Kask, Patrikejevs (Marin 70′), Orlov (Ivanov 60′), Smith

Premium Liiga Matchday 20 games:

• 21.06.2025 – FCI Levadia vs Nomme Kalju FC – 3:1
• 21.06.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs FC Flora Tallinn – 19:00
• 11.07.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 19:00
• 12.07.2025 – Parnu JK Vaprus vs JK Narva Trans – 14:30
• 13.07.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs Harju JK Laagri – 14:30