Latvian champions Riga continued their preparations for the 2026 Virslīga season with a 3–2 victory over Slovak runners-up Žilina in a training camp match in Dubai.
Led by Adrián Guľa, Riga faced Žilina as their second pre-season opponent. The Slovak side currently sit fourth in their domestic championship after 18 rounds and finished the 2024/2025 season as league runners-up. Riga took the lead through off-season signing Raki as the Tunisian attacker finished a counter-attack, before Ramires – last season’s second-highest scorer for the club in the league – doubled the advantage with a precise strike from a tight angle.
Žilina responded in the 65th minute when experienced midfielder Michal Faško scored to reduce the deficit. Riga restored their two-goal lead thanks to Antonijs Černomordijs, who headed in at the near post following a corner kick. The Slovak side added a late goal in the 87th minute through Croatian forward Marko Roginić, but Riga held on to the win.
Riga started the match with Zviedris, Eduardo, Ngom, Birka, Ankrah, Jurkovskis, a trialist, Varslavāns, Raki, Diop, and Ramires. Černomordijs, Orols, Wassom, Husseini, Siqueira, Galo, Contreras, Pena, Johnsnon, and Sindlers came on from the bench.
The Latvian champions will play their third pre-season friendly in four days’ time, still in Dubai, against Pyunik Yerevan.
