Latvian champions Riga FC saw their UEFA Champions League campaign come to an end despite defeating Armenian champions Ararat-Armenia 3-2 at Skonto Stadium on Tuesday evening. Having lost the first leg 0-2 in Yerevan, Adrian Guľa’s side were ultimately eliminated 3-4 on aggregate.
The hosts could hardly have imagined a worse start to the evening. An early mistake from Baba Musah allowed Zhirayr Shaghoyan to race through on goal, but goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris produced an excellent save to keep Riga’s hopes alive.
That warning was quickly followed by a response at the other end. Iago Siqueira first fired wide from a promising position before capitalising on a defensive error moments later, calmly finishing to reduce the aggregate deficit to 1-2 and ignite the home crowd.
Riga continued to build momentum and found themselves level on the night midway through the first half. A move down the left eventually fell kindly to Ahmed Ankrah on the edge of the penalty area, and the Ghanaian midfielder rifled a powerful strike into the net to make it 2-2 on the evening and leave the tie finely balanced.
Just before half-time, Riga had another opportunity to increase the pressure when Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand burst into the penalty area. However, after losing his balance under pressure, the Dutch midfielder was shown a yellow card by the referee for simulation.
The second half began in disastrous fashion for the Latvian champions. A poor first touch from Zviedris after receiving a back pass gifted possession to the visitors, allowing Shaghoyan to score into an almost empty net and restore Ararat-Armenia’s two-goal aggregate advantage.
Riga’s task became even more difficult in the 63rd minute when Sandro Lima produced an outstanding long-range strike to make it 2-2 on the night and extend the Armenian side’s aggregate lead to 4-2.
The match became increasingly heated after the visitors’ second goal, with several robust challenges resulting in five yellow cards within the space of six minutes. Riga struggled to regain control of proceedings, while Ararat-Armenia looked the more dangerous side for much of the remainder of the contest.
A major talking point arrived five minutes from time when Riga thought they had found another goal. The ball eventually crossed the line after the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul committed moments earlier against a Riga player. Despite lengthy protests from the home side, the goal did not stand, with the official refusing to change his decision. Shortly afterwards, captain Antonijs Černomordijs was introduced from the bench in an attempt to inspire one final push.
Drama continued deep into stoppage time. Following a VAR review, Riga were awarded a penalty, which Reginaldo Ramires confidently converted to reduce the aggregate deficit to a single goal. However, despite a frantic finish, the Latvian champions were unable to find the goal that would have forced extra time.
While Ararat-Armenia progress to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Riga FC will now continue their European campaign in the UEFA Conference League. Their next opponents will be North Macedonian side Vardar Skopje.
Riga FC vs Ararat-Armenia – 3-2 (2-0) 3-4 on aggregate
Goals: Siqueira 14′, Ankrah 23′ Ramires 90+4′ | Shsgoryan 46′, Lima 63′
