Riga FC returned to the top of the Tonybet Virslīga table after a dominant 4-1 victory over FK Auda at Skonto Stadium in a fiery encounter that saw the visitors finish with just nine players following two straight red cards.
The turning point arrived already in the 10th minute when Auda goalkeeper Nils Puriņš rushed outside his penalty area and brought down Muhammed Badamosi during a dangerous attack. Referee immediately showed a straight red card, forcing Auda into an early reshuffle as substitute goalkeeper Raivo Stūriņš replaced Wally Fofana.
Riga quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage. In the 20th minute Orlando Galo finished off a slick attacking move after being played through by Muhammed Badamosi, calmly slotting the ball past Stūriņš to make it 1-0. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage moments later when a dangerous attack ended with the crossbar denying them.
Despite being down to ten men, Auda responded impressively. Josue Vergara delivered an excellent cross into the six-yard box where Ibrahim Kone was left with a simple finish to level the score at 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
Riga thought they had restored their lead shortly afterwards, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The pressure eventually paid off in the 35th minute when midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad curled a superb free-kick beyond both the wall and Stūriņš to put the defending champions back in front. It was Oulad’s second consecutive game with a free-kick goal.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and territory before halftime, but the score remained 2-1 heading into the break.
Riga needed only seven minutes after the restart to extend their advantage. Raivis Jurkovskis delivered a dangerous cross into the area where Badamosi arrived unmarked to finish from close range, scoring his eighth goal of the season and strengthening his position as Riga’s leading scorer.
To Auda’s credit, they continued competing despite the disadvantage and nearly pulled one back midway through the second half when Olabanjo Ogunji struck the post following a corner situation. Riga, however, remained in control and continued creating chances throughout the match.
The visitors’ frustrations boiled over late on when Sebastian Aranda received a straight red card in the 82nd minute after a reckless foul on Caio Ferreira, reducing Auda to nine men.
Riga had another goal ruled out for offside late on, but eventually found a fourth in stoppage time. Caio Ferreira capped off the performance with a composed finish after being set up by Salah-Eddine Oulad.
The victory sends Riga FC back to the top of the Virslīga standings, one point ahead of RFS, although their title rivals still have a game in hand against BFC Daugavpils. Meanwhile Auda remain third despite the defeat, still holding a comfortable ten point gap over FK Liepāja in fourth place.
Riga FC vs FK Auda – 4-1 (2-1)
Goals: Galo 20′, Oulad 35′, Badamosi 52′ Caio Ferreira 90+4′ | I.Kone 22′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Riga FC |
12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 14 | 26 | 29 |
| 2 |  RFS |
11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 9 | 16 | 28 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 16 | 10 | 25 |
| 4 |  FK Liepāja |
12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 15 |
| 5 |  BFC Daugavpils |
11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 14 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 14 |
| 7 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
12 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 12 |
| 8 |  FS Jelgava |
12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 22 | -14 | 12 |
| 9 |  Grobiņa |
12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 18 | -12 | 11 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
12 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 29 | -19 | 3 |
