Riga FC moved to within a single point of Tonybet Virslīga leaders RFS after securing a 2-1 victory in the latest edition of the Rīga derby. Despite a stunning second-half goal from Mor Talla, RFS were unable to recover from a difficult first half and suffered only their second league defeat of the season.
The home side made the brighter start and were rewarded in the 17th minute thanks to a costly defensive mistake. Herdi Prenga’s attempted backpass failed to reach Jevgeņijs Nerugals, allowing Raki Aouani to intercept the ball, round the goalkeeper and calmly finish into the empty net for his ninth league goal of the season.
RFS struggled to create clear opportunities during the opening period and found themselves two goals down seven minutes before half-time. Following a corner kick delivered by Salah-Eddine Oulad, Costa Rican international Orlando Galo with a diving heading effort got the ball towards goal. Nerugals managed to get a hand to the effort and push it onto the crossbar, but the ball bounced over the line to double Riga’s advantage.
Things almost became even worse for the league leaders before the break. In first-half stoppage time Aouani once again found the net after brilliantly beating Prenga in a one-on-one situation, but after a VAR review the goal was ruled out for offside.
RFS head coach Viktors Morozs reacted at half-time by introducing Mor Talla and Mārtiņš Ķigurs, and the changes immediately gave the visitors more energy. Talla tested Frenks Orols twice before finally producing a moment of individual brilliance in the 65th minute.
Receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, the Senegalese winger curled a sensational left-footed effort into the far top corner, leaving Orols with no chance and cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The goal transformed the match and RFS pushed aggressively for an equaliser. Modou Saidy forced a fine save from Orols, while Darko Lemajic came closest in the 85th minute when he found himself through on goal, only for the Riga goalkeeper to deny him with an excellent stop.
As tensions rose, several players from both sides entered the referee’s notebook following a heated confrontation midway through the second half. However, despite late pressure from the visitors, Riga defended resolutely and held on for all three points.
The result leaves just one point separating the capital rivals after 18 rounds. RFS remain top of the table with 46 points, while reigning champions Riga FC sit second with 45.
Riga FC vs FC RFS – 2-1 (2-0)
Goals: Aouani 17′, Galo 38′ | Talla 65′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
18 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 42 | 14 | 28 | 46 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 56 | 19 | 37 | 45 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 34 | 23 | 11 | 35 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 25 |
| 5 |  Super Nova |
18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 21 |
| 6 |  BFC Daugavpils |
18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 25 | -5 | 20 |
| 7 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 17 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 29 | -17 | 16 |
| 9 |  FS Jelgava |
18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 33 | -20 | 16 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
18 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 42 | -26 | 7 |
