Riga FC came from behind with three second-half goals to defeat Tukums 2000 3-1 at Skonto Stadium, moving provisionally to the top of the Tonybet Virslīga table ahead of RFS, who play on Monday.
The victory was far from straightforward for the reigning Latvian champions, who had already dropped points at home against Tukums earlier this season. Meanwhile, the visitors suffered their sixth consecutive league defeat despite producing another disciplined display for much of the evening.
Tukums handed a debut to goalkeeper Sergejs Vilkovs, who recently joined the club on loan after beginning the season at Super Nova and briefly returning to RFS during the summer. It marked the fourth spell of his career with Tukums. At the opposite end, Riga welcomed Frenks Orols back between the posts, while captain Antonijs Černomordijs returned to the starting XI after recovering from a minor injury. Head coach Adrians Guļa made six changes to the side that featured in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week.
Riga dominated possession from the opening whistle and forced a series of early corners but struggled to convert their territorial advantage into clear-cut opportunities. Instead, Tukums gradually grew into the contest and looked increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead just before half-time when Reginaldo Ramires bundled home after Caio Ferreira’s effort had been blocked. However, following a VAR review, the goal was disallowed after Iago Siqueira was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up.
Moments later, the visitors punished Riga at the other end. Breaking three against two deep into first-half stoppage time, Kaspars Anmanis picked out Leoni, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner to hand Tukums a surprise 1-0 lead.
Riga responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Salah-Eddine Oulad and Muhammed Badamosi, and the changes immediately increased the pressure on the visitors, but it was the visitors who had the next big chance as they nearly doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Shun Shibata fired narrowly over the crossbar during a heavy downpour.
But Riga ultimately got their way and the equaliser finally arrived in the 64th minute through Oulad. Receiving the ball outside the penalty area, the midfielder curled a superb right-footed strike in off the post to score his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Six minutes later, Oulad almost completed the turnaround himself, but Vilkovs produced an excellent save to deny the Dutch attacking player
Riga’s relentless pressure eventually paid off in the 86th minute. Oulad delivered an inviting cross into the six-yard box, where Badamosi rose highest to power a header into the bottom corner and give the home side the lead.
The result was put beyond doubt only two minutes later. From an Iago Siqueira set-piece, Costa Rica international Orlando Galo escaped his marker to head home from close range and seal a 3-1 victory.
The win lifts Riga to the top of the Tonybet Virslīga standings, at least temporarily, while Tukums remain second from bottom after a sixth successive defeat.
Riga FC vs FK Tukums 2000 – 3-1 (0-1)
Goals: Oulad 64′, Badamosi 86′, Galo 88′ | Leoni 45+1′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Riga FC |
23 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 58 |
| 2 |  RFS |
22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 54 | 16 | 38 | 56 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 37 | 26 | 11 | 40 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 28 | 34 | -6 | 28 |
| 5 |  BFC Daugavpils |
22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 29 | -4 | 27 |
| 6 |  FS Jelgava |
22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 38 | -14 | 25 |
| 7 |  Super Nova |
22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 24 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
22 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 33 | -18 | 20 |
| 9 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
23 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 38 | 47 | -9 | 17 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
22 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 21 | 55 | -34 | 13 |
