Latvian champions Riga FC ended a four-year wait for an away victory in European competition after beating North Macedonian champions Vardar 3-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie in Skopje.
The result ended a run of nine consecutive away matches in Europe without victory, with Riga claiming their first away win since a 3-0 triumph over Ružomberok in Slovakia on 21 July 2022.
Following the suspension of Frenks Dāvids Orols in the previous round, the goalkeeper returned to the starting lineup, while Kristers Zviedris was omitted from Riga’s UEFA squad. New Greek signing Athanasios Papadoudis was named on the bench after replacing Zviedris on the European roster.
Riga made an energetic start and immediately looked dangerous. Muhammed Badamosi and Antonijs Černomordijs both fired over the bar before Orlando Galo rattled the crossbar in the 13th minute after being picked out by Raki Aouani.
Despite Riga’s bright opening, it was Vardar who struck first in the 28th minute. Argentine winger Diego Castaneda beat Raivis Andris Jurkovskis inside the penalty area before drilling a low finish into the near corner to give the home side the lead.
The Latvian champions responded impressively. In the 35th minute Jurkovskis delivered an inviting cross into the box, where Galo powered home a header to level the score after a goalkeeper mistake. Just four minutes later, Riga completed the turnaround with an excellent team move as Galo found Iago Siqueira, who calmly converted from close range to send the visitors into half-time with a 2-1 advantage.
Vardar pushed forward after the break and restored parity in the 66th minute when experienced Luxembourg international Gerson Rodrigues headed home from Goran Zakaric’s cross.
The hosts came close to taking the lead moments later, but Riga survived the scare before producing the decisive moment of the evening. In the 81st minute, Andres Salazar combined brilliantly down the left flank before picking out Iago Siqueira, who fired home his second goal of the match to restore Riga’s advantage.
Vardar were unable to find another equaliser during the closing stages, allowing Riga to celebrate a valuable 3-2 victory and take a one-goal advantage back to Latvia ahead of next week’s return leg at Skonto Stadium.
Vardar vs Riga FC – 2-3 (1-2)
Goals: Castaneda 28′, Rodrigues 66′ | Galo 35′, Siqueira 39′ 81′
