---
title: "Geovani’s late winner moves Levadia to brink of Estonian Championship"
date: 2026-10-11T14:21:49Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/geovanis-late-winner-moves-levadia-to-brink-of-estonian-championship/
categories: ["Premium liiga", "Premium liiga - match reports"]
---

# Geovani’s late winner moves Levadia to brink of Estonian Championship
**Tallinn FCI Levadia moved to the brink of securing the Estonian Premium Liiga title with a dramatic 1-0 home victory over third-placed Paide Linnameeskond, as substitute Geovani headed home an 89th-minute winner at A. Le Coq Arena. The result means Levadia could be crowned champions on Sunday evening if city rivals Flora fail to defeat Kuressaare.**

Returning to domestic action following the international break, league leaders Levadia entered the match knowing that victory, combined with dropped points for Flora later in the day, would be enough to secure the championship. Paide, meanwhile, were looking to strengthen their position in the battle for a top-three finish.

Levadia made three changes to their starting lineup compared with their previous league match against Narva Trans, with Rasmus Peetson, Tanel Tammik and Mark Oliver Roosnupp dropping to the bench. Frank Liivak, Abraham Nwankwo and João Pedro were handed starts instead. Paide made four changes of their own, with injuries affecting Kristofer Käit and Henri Anier, while Juan Palacios and Oskar Hõim started among the substitutes.

The visitors made a promising start, with Levadia goalkeeper Karl Andre Vallner called into action early on. He denied Cabral’s low free-kick at the near post in the sixth minute before tipping another dangerous delivery from a corner over the crossbar.

Levadia gradually took control of possession and began creating opportunities. Wendell tested goalkeeper Meerits following a counterattack, while Mihkel Ainsalu sent the rebound over the crossbar. The hosts also saw three consecutive efforts blocked inside the penalty area as Paide’s defence held firm.

The best opportunity of the opening half arrived in the 30th minute when Giorgi Kutateladze turned inside the penalty area and fired towards the bottom corner, forcing Meerits into an excellent save.

Paide continued to threaten occasionally, with Momodou Jobarteh finding space inside the penalty area, although his attempt failed to trouble Vallner. At the other end, Kutateladze headed narrowly wide following a cross from Joseph Saliste as the hosts continued searching for a breakthrough.

Levadia were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in first-half stoppage time when Paide defender Miller made a poor touch inside his own penalty area before challenging Kutateladze. The referee awarded a penalty, with VAR allowing the decision to stand despite a closely contested challenge.

Wendell stepped up to take the spot-kick but sent his effort over the crossbar, wasting the opportunity to give Levadia a half-time advantage.

Paide made three changes at half-time, introducing Juan Palacios, Oskar Hõim and Piht in an attempt to provide greater attacking threat. The changes almost paid off in the 56th minute when Palacios found Piht in a promising position inside the penalty area, but the substitute fired over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Levadia continued to push forward, with Ainsalu testing Meerits from a free-kick before the hosts introduced Geovani Reis and Roosnupp to freshen up their attack. The visitors also had opportunities from set pieces, although Cabral failed to hit the target with a dangerous free-kick from just outside the penalty area.

With the match entering its final stages, Levadia thought they had finally broken the deadlock when Roosnupp turned neatly inside the penalty area and found the net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, with a VAR review confirming the narrow decision.

As the clock approached 90 minutes, the hosts finally found the breakthrough they had been searching for. In the 89th minute, Frank Liivak delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, where substitute Geovani rose to direct a header past Meerits and give Levadia a crucial 1-0 lead.

Paide attempted to respond during seven minutes of added time, with Cabral seeing a long-range effort deflected over the crossbar. Levadia also had an opportunity to extend their advantage on the counterattack, but Meerits denied Geovani a second goal.

The result leaves Levadia within touching distance of the Estonian championship, with the Tallinn club set to secure the title on Sunday if Flora fail to win their away fixture against Kuressaare. Meanwhile, Paide’s defeat represents a setback in their battle to maintain a place in the Premium Liiga top three.

**FCI Levadia Tallinn 1-0 Paide Linnameeskond**
Goal: Reis 89′