Žalgiris Vilnius with a win over Hegelmann move level on points with Sūduva

The hosts made an energetic start and almost opened the scoring after just three minutes. A well-worked attacking move created an opportunity for Matas Vareika, but his effort narrowly missed the post. Paulius Golubickas also found himself in a promising position shortly afterwards, although he failed to direct his attempt on target.

Hegelmann showed attacking ambition of their own, with Wesley Gabriel producing an acrobatic effort from inside the penalty area that went narrowly wide of Vincentas Šarkauskas’ goal.

After an entertaining opening half-hour, Žalgiris broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Deividas Šešplaukis delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area, where Golubickas rose to head home and give Andrius Skerla’s side a 1-0 advantage.

However, the hosts’ lead lasted only three minutes. Hegelmann responded through Wesley Gabriel, who found himself unmarked inside the penalty area and took full advantage to restore parity in the 34th minute.

The teams entered half-time level at 1-1, but Žalgiris emerged from the interval with considerably greater attacking intensity. The home side’s pressure eventually paid off in the 59th minute when Stanislav Bilenkyi rose to meet a set-piece delivery and powered a header beyond Hegelmann goalkeeper Lukas Paukštė, restoring Žalgiris’ advantage.

With momentum firmly on their side, the hosts continued pushing forward and extended their lead in the 71st minute. Vareika, who had narrowly missed an opportunity early in the match, produced an excellent individual move to beat his defender before guiding a measured finish beyond Paukštė. The goal made it 3-1 and put Žalgiris in a commanding position.

The occasion was also particularly significant for Liviu Antal, who made his farewell appearance for the Vilnius club after being introduced as a substitute. The Romanian forward received the opportunity to feature one final time in Žalgiris colours as the hosts moved towards another important league victory.

Žalgiris completed the scoring in stoppage time when substitute Bryan Teixeira added a fourth goal, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 triumph. The victory takes Žalgiris to 50 points, drawing them level with second-placed Sūduva and strengthening their position in the battle for the league’s leading places.

Hegelmann, meanwhile, remain eighth in the standings with 26 points following another disappointing result as the Toplyga season approaches its conclusion.