The Livonian Cup will remain in Latvia, as Latvian champions Riga FC defeated Estonian champions FC Flora Tallinn 3-0 in Tallinn to lift the trophy in their first-ever attempt. Costa Rican forward Anthony Contreras scored twice in an emphatic victory.
For Flora, the real domestic campaign begins in four days with the Estonian Super Cup against Nõmme Kalju FC, and head coach Konstantin Vassiljev used the occasion to give opportunities to several young academy players inside the EJL Football Hall. From last season’s title-winning core, only three players who were among the ten most-used squad members featured prominently were named in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Latvian champions Riga FC, led by Adrian Gul’a, approached the fixture seriously. After their convincing 4-1 Super Cup victory over FK Auda, this was their first match of the year on Baltic soil, and Gul’a fielded close to his strongest available lineup.
Riga quickly justified their favourites’ status. In the 16th minute, Anthony Contreras burst into the penalty area from the right and fired on goal. The shot took a deflection off a Flora defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Kaur Kivila and giving him no chance.
The Latvian side continued to control proceedings and doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Iago Siqueira delivered a precise pass into the box to Reginaldo Ramires, and the Brazilian forward calmly placed his shot into the far corner to make it 2-0.
Riga thought they had added a third before halftime, but Ramires’ second goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up. Flora struggled to create danger, with Riga goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris largely untested apart from an early effort.
The pattern continued in the second half. Ramires found the net again, only for the goal to once more be disallowed for offside. The Brazilian, who scored 20 goals across all competitions last season, was heavily involved throughout before being substituted in the 67th minute. Shortly after, Flora produced one of their few promising moments, but Sander Tovstik’s effort sailed over the crossbar.
Riga sealed the victory in the 80th minute. Following a pass from Meissa Diop into the danger area, Flora’s defenders failed to clear the ball, and Contreras reacted quickest, striking powerfully on the run to complete his brace and make it 3-0.
With the win, Riga FC became the fourth Latvian club to lift the Livonian Cup, joining Skonto Riga, FK Ventspils and FC RFS, who won the previous edition in 2024 – also against Flora.
Flora now turn their focus to the Estonian Super Cup clash against Nõmme Kalju in four days, before opening their league campaign on March 7 against Nõmme United. Riga FC will begin their Latvian Virslīga title defence away to FK Liepāja.
FC Flora Tallinn vs Riga FC – 0-3 (0-2)
Goals: Contreras 16′ 79′, Ramires 30′
