The third Rīga Derby of this Latvian Virslīga campaign produced plenty of drama but no goals, as Riga FC and RFS fought out a tense 0-0 draw on Thursday.
RFS entered the match with clear urgency – three points were crucial in keeping their title hopes alive. They pressed hard from the opening whistle, engaging in a physical battle that referee Lukasz Kuzma from Poland largely allowed to flow.
Midway through the first half, tempers flared when Orlando Galo and Strahinja Rakić clashed inside Riga’s half, but the referee kept his cards in his pocket. Minutes later, RFS carved out the game’s first genuine chance: Mor Talla Gaye danced past his defender and fired on goal, but his strike was blocked. The rebound fell kindly for Rakić, who couldn’t keep his shot on target.
RFS threatened again shortly before halftime from a dangerous free kick, but Stefan Panić sent his effort narrowly wide.
The hosts continued to press after the break. Defender Žiga Lipušček unleashed a powerful strike from distance in the 55th minute, only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from Riga keeper Krišjānis Zviedris.
Riga responded with a sharp counter midway through the second half. Iago Siqueira found himself in space with a clear look at goal, but Roberts Veips intervened with a perfectly timed sliding challenge. RFS nearly paid again on 75 minutes when substitute Gauthier Mankenda headed wide from close range.
The closest moment came late on when Jānis Ikaunieks burst into the box and struck from a tight angle. The ball deflected off a Riga defender, wrong-footing Zviedris, but rolled agonizingly past the empty far corner.
In the end, neither side could find the breakthrough. The result keeps Riga six points clear of RFS with just six matches left, setting up a tense run-in. And with one more derby scheduled on the season’s final matchday, the capital’s rivalry still has plenty left to give.
FC RFS vs Riga FC – 0:0
Virslīga Matchday 27 games:
- 23.o8.2025 – FS Jelgava vs FK Tukums 2000 – 1:1
- 23.08.2025 – BFC Daugavpils vs FK Metta – 4:2
- 24.08.2025 – FK Auda vs FK Grobiņa – 1:0
- 25.08.2025 – FK Liepāja vs SK Super Nova – 0:3
- 25.09.2025 – FC RFS vs Riga FC – 0:0
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Riga FC | 36 | 27 | 7 | 2 | 59 | 88 |
| 2 | FC RFS | 36 | 28 | 3 | 5 | 61 | 87 |
| 3 | FK Liepāja | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 61 |
| 4 | BFC Daugavpils | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | -10 | 48 |
| 5 | FK Auda | 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | -5 | 45 |
| 6 | FS Jelgava | 36 | 8 | 14 | 14 | -7 | 38 |
| 7 | FK Tukums 2000 | 36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | -24 | 36 |
| 8 | SK Super Nova | 36 | 6 | 14 | 16 | -12 | 32 |
| 9 | FK Grobiņa | 36 | 8 | 8 | 20 | -31 | 32 |
| 10 | FK Metta | 36 | 8 | 7 | 21 | -35 | 31 |
