Daugavpils hold on with ten men to secure win over FS Jelgava

In a crucial Matchday 24 showdown between mid-table rivals in the Tonybet Virslīga, BFC Daugavpils managed to cling onto a narrow lead despite being reduced to ten men, ultimately sealing a 2–0 home win over FS Jelgava with a late insurance goal.

Heading into the fixture, just three points separated the two sides, both still within striking distance of a coveted European qualification spot. With FK Liepāja and FK Auda just ahead in the standings, the match was a six-pointer in every sense.

Following a historic first-ever win at Skonto Stadium against FK Auda in the previous round, Daugavpils head coach Kirils Kurbatovs made four changes to his starting lineup. Gļebs Mihailovs, Toumani Diakité, and attacking duo Valerijs Lizunovs and Boubou Diallo all returned to the XI. Jelgava boss Aleksandrs Basovs, meanwhile, kept faith in most of the side that dominated SK Super Nova, making just one change – Gļebs Žaleiko replacing Yahaya Muhammad.

Daugavpils struck early with a brilliant link-up between Wally Fofana and Modou Saidy, the latter calmly converting from the penalty spot to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Toward the end of the first half, Diallo nearly doubled the advantage after capitalizing on a goalkeeping error, only for Jelgava defender Kristers Alekseičiks to make a last-ditch sliding block with the goal wide open.

The turning point came just five minutes into the second half when goal-scorer Modou Saidy picked up his second yellow card, leaving Daugavpils to play the remainder of the match with ten men.

Jelgava took full control of possession and began applying relentless pressure. Substitute Kingsley Emenike emerged as a constant threat, nearly scoring midway through the half after a fine pass from Houloubek, only to mishandle the ball in front of goal – allowing Daugavpils keeper Jānis Beks to rescue his side.

In the 80th minute, Jelgava did find the net through Emenike, but the goal was quickly ruled out. The referee blew his whistle for a foul, judging that the Nigerian forward had illegally knocked the ball out of Beks’ hands – even though the keeper hadn’t fully secured possession. Despite protests from the Jelgava players, the decision stood.

Pushing forward in numbers in search of an equalizer, Jelgava left themselves exposed at the back. Faycal Konate had one breakaway stopped by the goalkeeper, but deep in stoppage time, he found himself one-on-one again. This time, the young striker rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net to make it 2-0 and seal the three points for Daugavpils.

With this crucial win, BFC Daugavpils extend their gap over FS Jelgava to six points and move within just two points of fourth-placed FK Liepāja, keeping their European ambitions very much alive.

BFC Daugavpils vs FS Jelgava – 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Saidy 13′, Konate 90+3′
DAU: Beks, Mihaļcovs (Murakami 83′), Taty, Williams (Skrebels 46′), Kudeļkins, Diakite, Ivanovs, Lizunovs, Fofana (Cucurs 53′), Saidy, Diallo (Konate 53′).
JEL: Dvorak, Yuzvak, Penkevics, Aļekseičiks, Ullman, M.Hasek, Žaleiko (Bečers 61′), F.Hašeks (Boroduška 67′), Holoubek, Polasek (Pētersons 90′), Deružinskis (Emenike 46′)

Virslīga Matchday 24 games:

• 26.07.2025 – SK Super Nova vs FK Grobiņa – 0:0
• 26.07.2025 – FC RFS vs FK Tukums 2000 – 6:2
• 27.07.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FS Jelgava – 2:0
• 27.07.2025 – FK Liepāja vs FK Auda – 17:00
• 27.07.2025 – Riga FC vs FK Metta – 18:00