Promoted side FK TransINVEST continued their remarkable Toplyga campaign on Sunday after securing a narrow 1-0 home victory against Andrius Skerla’s Žalgiris Vilnius. The result marked the seventh league win of the season for Marius Stankevičius’ side and lifted them into second place in the standings.
It was already the second meeting between the clubs this season. In the previous encounter TransINVEST had stunned Žalgiris away from home with a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Xabi Auzmendi and Domantas Šluta.
Both teams began the match cautiously, trying their luck from distance during the opening stages. Auzmendi’s early effort was comfortably gathered by Žalgiris goalkeeper Carlos Olses, while at the other end Klaudijus Upstas cut inside from the right flank before firing narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 36th minute and it came in spectacular fashion. Auzmendi received the ball near the halfway line, spotted Olses positioned far off his line and decided to attempt an audacious strike from just inside the opposition half. The Spaniard’s effort flew perfectly into the net with the goalkeeper unable to recover in time, handing the hosts a stunning 1-0 lead.
TransINVEST nearly doubled their advantage after halftime in one of the match’s most controversial moments. Auzmendi brilliantly danced past Georgian defender Saba Mamatsashvili before going down under a challenge inside the box, prompting referee Donatas Rumšas to award a penalty.
Montenegrin forward Stefan Milošević stepped up and initially converted the spot kick, but after a lengthy VAR review Rumšas was called over to the monitor. Although the foul itself appeared clear, the goal was disallowed for unclear reasons and Milošević was ordered to retake the penalty. This time the striker smashed his effort against the crossbar, allowing Žalgiris to stay alive in the contest.
The visitors responded with chances of their own and came agonisingly close to equalising moments later. Following an excellent delivery from Deividas Šešplaukis, striker Nikola Petković found himself in front of goal but could only strike the crossbar from close range.
Žalgiris continued pushing late on but finishing once again proved costly for Skerla’s side. Bryan Teixeira rattled the post during the closing stages as the visitors desperately searched for an equaliser.
In the end TransINVEST held firm to record their second victory over Žalgiris Vilnius this season and move up to second place in the Toplyga table, now sitting four points behind leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris. Meanwhile Žalgiris Vilnius remain fifth with 19 points after another frustrating evening in front of goal.
FK TransINVEST vs Žalgiris Vilnius – 1-0 (1-0)
Goal: Auzmendi 36′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 10 | 23 | 29 |
| 2 |  Transinvest |
14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 25 |
| 3 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 24 |
| 4 |  FK Banga |
14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 22 |
| 5 |  FK Sūduva |
14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 |  FK Žalgiris |
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 15 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
14 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 14 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 13 |
| 10 |  FK Riteriai |
13 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 34 | -31 | 3 |
