The Latvian title race remains on a knife edge after RFS and Riga FC played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in Sunday’s Tonybet Virslīga Riga derby, a match that featured six goals, three lead changes and constant swings at the top of the live league table.
Fresh from their trip to the Faroe Islands, Riga FC made six changes to the starting eleven that faced KI Klaksvik. One of those changes was new signing Samuel Pedro, who had made his debut off the bench in Europe earlier in the week. The winger was handed his first start in the Riga derby and immediately justified his selection with an energetic first-half display, creating several dangerous situations.
Riga FC were the better side during the opening period and repeatedly tested RFS goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics. Caio Ferreira and Salah Oulad M’Hand both forced important saves, while RFS created little in attack, their only notable effort in the opening 25 minutes coming from a long-range Duje Korač strike that drifted wide.
The breakthrough arrived after a costly mistake from RFS captain Žiga Lipušček. Misjudging a high ball, the Slovenian defender brought down Samuel Pedro inside the penalty area, prompting the Polish referee to point to the spot despite furious protests from the home side. Mohamed Badamosi calmly converted the penalty, scoring his 17th league goal of the season to put Riga FC ahead.
Unhappy with his side’s display, RFS head coach Viktors Morozs reacted before half-time, introducing Portuguese winger Alfa Balde in place of striker Duje Korač in a tactical reshuffle.
The change helped steady RFS, who began to enjoy more possession and won a succession of dangerous corners before the interval, although Riga goalkeeper Frenks Dāvis Orols was still rarely troubled.
The second half, however, produced a completely different contest.
Just six minutes after the restart, the hosts equalised. Lipušček redeemed himself by producing a superb long pass from deep inside his own half to release Rostand Ndjiki, who raced through on goal and beat Orols at his near post to make it 1-1.
The parity lasted only a few minutes. Caio Ferreira drove into the attacking third, briefly lost possession, but immediately regained the ball before unleashing a stunning first-time strike into the top corner to restore Riga FC’s advantage at 2-1.
RFS responded once again. Awarded a dangerous free-kick just outside the penalty area, Lipušček cleverly fired a low effort underneath the jumping wall and into the corner, levelling the score once more while also moving his side back to the top of the live standings.
Both teams continued pushing for victory. Riga FC’s next clear opportunity arrived in the 73rd minute when Andrezs Salazar’s cross found Badamosi, whose acrobatic effort flew over the crossbar.
Four minutes later, the visitors reclaimed the lead. Maksims Toņiševs switched play brilliantly to Meissa Diop on the right flank, whose cross was unfortunately diverted into his own net by Stefan Panic as he attempted to prevent the ball from reaching its target.
But just as Lipušček had gone from first-half villain to second-half hero, Panic also made amends.
In the 80th minute, Alfa Balde delivered a superb cross into the penalty area and the Serbian midfielder powered a header beyond Orols to make it 3-3, completing another twist in a remarkable derby.
Neither side was able to create another clear-cut opportunity during the closing stages, and after a breathless contest the points were shared.
The draw keeps RFS at the top of the Tonybet Virslīga with 66 points from 26 matches, just one point ahead of Riga FC, with the title race set for another showdown when the rivals meet again in the final league round on 8 November at Skonto Stadium.
FC RFS vs Riga FC – 3-3 (0-1)
Goals: Ndjiki 51′, Lipušček 65′, Panic 80′ | Badamosi 27′ (penalty kick), Ferreira 53′, Panic 77′ (Own goal)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
26 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 65 | 20 | 45 | 66 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
26 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 79 | 24 | 55 | 65 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
25 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 42 | 26 | 16 | 49 |
| 4 |  BFC Daugavpils |
27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 33 | 31 | 2 | 37 |
| 5 |  FK Liepāja |
26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 37 |
| 6 |  Super Nova |
25 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 26 | 37 | -11 | 28 |
| 7 |  FS Jelgava |
27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 46 | -18 | 28 |
| 8 |  Grobiņa |
27 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 50 | -31 | 21 |
| 9 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 20 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
26 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 26 | 68 | -42 | 14 |
