Tonybet Virslīga Matchday 14 concluded with another outstanding performance from Panamanian forward Josué Vergara, who scored twice to lay the foundations for FK Auda’s 3-1 victory over FK Liepāja at Skonto Stadium.
Auda welcomed back goalkeeper Nils Toms Puriņš after suspension, while the match carried major importance for both sides. Victory for Auda would keep at least some pressure on the top two Rīga clubs, while Liepāja could have moved within four points of third place with a win.
Instead, the evening belonged to 18-year-old Panamanian striker Vergara, who continues to shine in his first season in Latvia and is making a strong case to be included in Panama’s upcoming World Cup squad, which will be announced on Tuesday.
Vergara opened the scoring in the 21st minute after an excellent move by Eduards Dašķevičs, who managed to find the striker inside the penalty area despite being surrounded by three Liepāja players. Vergara then brilliantly turned Andriy Korobenko with a sharp piece of skill before finishing precisely off the post to make it 1-0.
Liepāja responded with a dangerous free-kick opportunity, but Fellipe Vieira’s effort went through the wall straight into the hands of Puriņš. At the other end Vergara continued tormenting the visitors’ defence. One dangerous effort heading on target was accidentally blocked by his own teammate Dašķevičs, but shortly before halftime the Panamanian doubled both his tally and Auda’s advantage.
After a cross from Kader Kone on the left flank, Vergara guided a header into the net to make it 2-0 before the break.
Liepāja head coach made an attacking change at halftime, introducing Djibril Gueye in place of Kyvon Leidsman, who struggled to make an impact during the opening 45 minutes.
The visitors quickly pulled one back in the second half after winning a penalty in the 52nd minute when Deniss Melņiks handled the ball inside the area. Brazilian forward Fellipe Vieira confidently converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Liepāja tried to build momentum after the goal, but Auda regained control and restored their two-goal cushion in the 64th minute. Dašķevičs once again played a key role, finding Kader Kone inside the box, with the midfielder calmly finishing into the bottom corner for 3-1.
However, shortly after assisting the third goal, Dašķevičs was forced off after appearing to feel discomfort in his groin area, creating a worrying moment for Auda despite the comfortable lead.
The home side were closer to getting the fourth goal, with a great chances coming after some mistakes from FK Liepāja, but no goals were scored in the last minutes with Auda taking the three points.
With the victory, Auda strengthened their hold on third place in the Virslīga table and increased the gap over Liepāja to ten points after defeating the Kurzeme club for the second time this season.
FK Auda vs FK Liepāja – 3-1 (2-0)
Goals: Vergara 22′ 41′, K.Kone 64′ | Vieira 54′ (Penalty kick)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  RFS |
14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 9 | 24 | 37 |
| 2 |  Riga FC |
14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 17 | 28 | 33 |
| 3 |  FK Auda |
14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 29 | 20 | 9 | 28 |
| 4 |  Super Nova |
14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 20 |
| 5 |  FK Liepāja |
14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 22 | -5 | 18 |
| 6 |  BFC Daugavpils |
14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 17 |
| 7 |  FK Tukums 2000 |
14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 13 |
| 8 |  FS Jelgava |
14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 28 | -18 | 13 |
| 9 |  Grobiņa |
14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 23 | -14 | 12 |
| 10 |  Ogre United |
14 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 35 | -23 | 3 |
