---
title: "The Legend Lives On: 45-Year-Old striker scores Hat-Trick in Lithuanian Cup showdown"
date: 2025-05-28T20:36:18Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/the-legend-lives-on-45-year-old-striker-scores-hat-trick-in-lithuanian-cup-showdown/
categories: ["Lithuanian Cup"]
---

# The Legend Lives On: 45-Year-Old striker scores Hat-Trick in Lithuanian Cup showdown
![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ricardas-Beniusis.jpg?resize=1024%2C607&ssl=1)Photo: FK Jonava

Ričardas Beniušis.

**The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Cup Round of 16 continued on yesterday and today with top-tier clubs asserting their dominance — but the headlines were stolen by a timeless icon in Jonava’s colors.**

In a clash between lower-division sides underdogs Kazlų Rūda who shocked BE1 NFA in the previous round, were brought back to earth by FK Jonava. Falling 1-4 in front of their home crowd. While Jonava’s progression may not come as a surprise, the real story of the night was Ričardas Beniušis, turned back the clock and scored a sensational hat-trick at the age of 45. The former Lithuanian international showed age is just a number, leading Jonava into the final eight with a historic performance.

Panevėžys also are marching on in the Lithuanian Cup, booking their place in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 3-0 away win over a spirited FK Garliava side.

Despite their status as one of the tournament favorites, the visitors from Aukštaitija were held in check during the first half by Garliava — the third division club. Panevėžys struggled to break through early, with few clear-cut chances and a resilient home defense keeping the game level.

The turning point came in the 44th minute, when Ryusei Seike, who had earlier tested Vytautas Černiauskas with a dangerous header, was shown a second yellow card and dismissed, reducing Garliava to ten men. Even with a man advantage, Panevėžys found it tough to convert possession into goals.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 73rd minute, when Salomon Kouadio earned a penalty that Ariagner Smith coolly slotted home. That opened the floodgates. Just four minutes later, the Nicaraguan international was on target again, this time with a well-taken finish from a Lucas de Vega assist.

Smith completed his hat-trick in the dying moments of the match, rising highest to nod home another de Vega cross and seal the victory in style.

#### **Other matches**:

**FK Banga Gargždai 0-1 FA Šiauliai**  
A tight, tense affair was settled by Gabijus Micevičius in the 58th minute, as FA Šiauliai edged out top-tier opponents away from home. The visitors’ defensive solidity held firm against late pressure from Banga.

**FK TransINVEST 0-1 FC Hegelmann**  
Leo Ribeiro struck early in the 18th minute, and that was all Hegelmann needed to dispatch TransINVEST. The Kaunas side managed the game well and move on with minimal fuss.

**FK Tauras Tauragė 1-3 FK Sūduva**  
In the last match of the Round of 16, played today, Haidara’s early double put Sūduva in control. Despite Pikčiūnas pulling one back for Tauras, Nojus Lukšys added a late third to seal progression for the Marijampolė outfit.

**Lithuanian Cup Round of 16 results:**

-   FK Žalgiris vs **FK Kauno Žalgiris** – 2:4 (after extra-time)
-   AFK Vilnius vs **FK Babrungas** – 0:6
-   FK Minija vs **FC Džiugas Telšiai** – 0:1
-   Kazlu Rūda vs **FK Jonava** – 1:4
-   FK Banga Gargždai vs **FA Šiauliai –** 0:1
-   FK TransINVEST vs **FC Hegelmann –** 0:1
-   FK Garliava vs **FK Paņevežys –** 0:3
-   FK Tauras Taurage vs **FK Sūduva –** 1:3