In the latest round of the Lithuanian A Lyga, FK Žalgiris defeated FK Sūduva for the third time this season, sealing a 3-1 away victory in Marijampolė. With six rounds left to play, the result has tightened the race for the final European qualification spot.
Under new head coach Rolandas Džiaukštas, Žalgiris had won both of his opening matches without conceding a goal. But this time they faced a sterner test in Sūduva, who sat third in the table, four points clear of last year’s champions. Despite a subpar campaign by their standards, Žalgiris held the upper hand in the head-to-head series, with two wins and a draw in their previous three meetings.
Žalgiris struck first in the 18th minute, when 22-year-old midfielder Gustas Jarusevičius netted his third goal of the season. Just before halftime, the visitors doubled their advantage after a costly mistake by Henry Uzochukwu. Former Sūduva loanee Motiejus Burba capitalized with a precise finish against his old club.
While Žalgiris clinically converted their chances, Sūduva failed to create any danger in the opening half. The second period brought little change, and Žalgiris added a third goal when Burba’s cross found Romanian forward Liviu Antal, who scored his seventh of the season – and his third in as many games under Džiaukštas.
Sūduva finally showed some life late on. In the 86th minute, substitute Frankline Tangiri set up Nojus Lukšys in the box, and the young striker scored his first goal since March, briefly offering hope to the home crowd. But Žalgiris held firm defensively, securing their third straight win under the new coach.
With this result, Žalgiris closes the gap to third-placed Sūduva to just one point. That position has now gained extra importance, as FK Panevėžys’ cup triumph yesterday means third place will be the final ticket to European competition next season.
Next up, Žalgiris visits FC Džiugas Telšiai on Saturday, while Sūduva faces Riteriai the day before.
FK Sūduva vs FK Žalgiris – 1:3 (0:1)
Goals: Lukšys 86′ | Jarusevičius 18′, Burba 38′, Antal 50′
A Lyga Matchday 34:
26.09.2025 – FK Banga Gargždai vs FC Džiugas Telšiai – 0:1
27.09.2025 – FA Šiauliai vs FK Riteriai – 2:1
29.09.2025 – FK Sūduva vs FK Žalgiris – 1:3
01.10.2025 – FC Hegelmann vs FK Kauno Žalgiris – 19:00
01.10.2025 – FK Paņevežys vs DFK Dainava Alytus – 19:00
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Kauno Žalgiris | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 41 | 74 |
| 2 | Hegelmann FC | 35 | 20 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 64 |
| 3 | FK Žalgiris | 35 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 62 |
| 4 | FK Sūduva | 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 59 |
| 5 | FA Šiauliai | 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 51 |
| 6 | FK Panevėžys | 35 | 13 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 46 |
| 7 | FC Džiugas Telšiai | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -8 | 45 |
| 8 | FK Banga Gargždai | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 41 |
| 9 | FK Riteriai | 35 | 6 | 7 | 22 | -37 | 25 |
| 10 | DFK Dainava Alytus | 35 | 3 | 8 | 24 | -49 | 17 |
