Vilnius Žalgiris secured their first victory under new head coach Andrius Skerla, defeating one of the season’s surprise packages, Džiugas Telšiai, 3-0 in Klaipeda in Matchday 10 of the Toplyga.
It was Skerla’s third match in charge. His debut ended in a draw against Banga Gargždai, while just days earlier Žalgiris suffered a shock Lithuanian Cup exit against second-tier side Atmosfera. This time, however, the Vilnius club responded in style, ending a six-match winless run and taking revenge for their painful opening-round defeat to Džiugas.
Skerla made only a few adjustments to the lineup, restoring Carlos Olses in goal. Meanwhile, Džiugas came into the match looking to bounce back after just their second defeat of the season against Sūduva.
Played on Klaipėda’s artificial surface in strong winds, the match lacked fluency early on, with both sides forced into a physical, duel-heavy contest. Žalgiris created the first real opportunity, but Marko Capan failed to convert from a central position. Džiugas responded mainly through set pieces, though they posed little threat to Olses.
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute. After a handball inside the penalty area following a Deividas Šešplaukis effort, the referee awarded a penalty. Liviu Antal stepped up and calmly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Žalgiris a 1-0 lead.
Tensions briefly rose midway through the half, resulting in multiple yellow cards, but Žalgiris maintained control. Despite playing against the wind, they entered halftime with a deserved advantage.
After the break, Džiugas struggled to break through Žalgiris’ compact midfield structure. The visitors capitalized again in the 62nd minute from a set piece – a recurring strength this season. Šešplaukis delivered a long ball into the box, and Yury Kendysh powered in a header while falling to double the lead.
Žalgiris then managed the game well, while Džiugas searched for a way back. Their best chance came in the 69th minute, when substitute Esciel Scotto found space close to goal, but his effort missed the target.
As the match entered its final stages, Džiugas pushed forward, but their attacking efforts lacked precision. Žalgiris remained defensively solid and dangerous on the counter.
The final blow came late in stoppage time. After a mistake in midfield by a Džiugas player, Žalgiris launched a quick counterattack, breaking three against one. Yury Kendysh carried the ball forward before finding Bryan Teixeira on the left flank, who calmly finished to seal a convincing 3-0 victory.
The result lifts Žalgiris to fifth place in the standings with 15 points, just two behind second-placed Džiugas.
Žalgiris will look to build on this momentum next Sunday away against FK Panevėžys, while Džiugas return home two days earlier to face FC Hegelmann.
FC Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Žalgiris Vilnius – 0-3 (0-1)
Goals: Antal 30′ (Penalty kick), Kendysh 62′, Teixeira 90+6′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 23 | 25 |
| 2 |  Transinvest |
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 17 |
| 3 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 17 |
| 4 |  FK Sūduva |
10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
| 5 |  FK Žalgiris |
10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| 6 |  FK Banga |
10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 14 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 11 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 13 | -6 | 9 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 8 |
| 10 |  FK Riteriai |
10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 24 | -21 | 3 |
