For the second night in a row, Latvian football endured heartbreak in Europe as BFC Daugavpils saw their UEFA Conference League debut come to a crushing end. In a thrilling and emotionally charged second-leg tie against Albanian side Vllaznia, Daugavpils squandered a two-goal aggregate advantage, losing 2–4 on the night and 3–4 on aggregate.
Backed by an energized home crowd at LNK Sports Park, Daugavpils began with confidence. Head coach Kirils Kurbatovs made two changes to his starting lineup from the first leg, bringing in Jevgēņijs Miņins and Dāvis Cucurs. Vllaznia, under Edu Martini, made just one switch – Ghanaian Alfred Mensah replacing Eslit Sala.
Vllaznia signaled their intent early, with Kevin Dodaj testing goalkeeper Jānis Beks in the 10th minute. Daugavpils answered with a near miss from Kudeļkins after a corner by Miņins. But in the 22nd minute, the Albanians struck first. Erdenis Gurishta was allowed space on the right to cross, and Alfred Mensah tapped in from close range to tie the aggregate at 1–1.
Daugavpils responded emphatically. A pinpoint delivery from Gļebs Mihaļcovs found British center-back Wasiri Williams, whose header put the home side back in front. Two minutes later, Miņins whipped in another brilliant cross, this time met by Boubou Diallo, who made it 2–1 on the night and 3–1 on aggregate.
Just before halftime, however, Vllaznia clawed one back. Andrey Yago was left unmarked and unleashed a long-range shot that beat Beks, reducing the deficit and injecting life into the Albanian side heading into the break.
The second half saw Vllaznia dominate possession while Daugavpils sat deeper, waiting for counterattacking chances. In the 60th minute, substitute Esat Mala forced a strong save from Beks with a strike aimed at the top corner.
Kurbatovs made his first change shortly after, bringing on Faycal Konate for the hardworking Diallo. But Vllaznia’s sustained pressure paid off. In the 74th minute, a low cross evaded multiple Daugavpils defenders, and Dodaj tapped in to level the aggregate once again at 3–3.
Looking for fresh energy, Daugavpils made further substitutions with Saidy and Promise Victor replacing Miņins and Lizunovs. Moments later, Raivis Skrebels came agonizingly close with a long-range effort that whisked just past the post.
Then came the decisive blow. In the 87th minute, another cross into the Daugavpils penalty area wasn’t cleared, and Mala pounced to score Vllaznia’s fourth of the night. The visiting bench erupted, sensing victory.
Daugavpils threw everything forward in the dying moments and even found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul in the play. As the final whistle blew, players collapsed in disappointment — their European journey over.
Despite the heartbreak, Daugavpils’ debut European campaign showcased glimpses of quality and potential. But defensive lapses and late-game pressure proved costly against a more experienced Vllaznia side, who now move on to the second qualifying round.
BFC Daugavpils vs KF Vllaznia – 2:4 (2:2)
Goals: Williams 33’, Diallo 35’ | Mensah 22’, Yago 45+1’, Doday 74’, Kubazi 87’
DAU: Beks, Kudeļkins (Skrebels 89’), Williams, Taty, Mihaļcovs,Miņins (Saidy 77’), Ivanovs, Diakite, Cucurs (Fofana 89’), Diallo (Konate 62’), Lizunovs (Victor 77’)
VLL: Qarri, Gurishta, Kouro (Gjini 46’), Bajrami (Mala 56’), Yago, Kruja, Krymi (Tafili 71’), Qato (Sala 32’), Mensah (Kubazi 71’), Balaj, Dodaj
