“Azer Omeragić doubled Vardar's lead to 2-0 shortly after the hour mark, a stunning development given Vardar had been playing with ten men for over 45 minutes. The goal, built from a corner sequence, threatened to turn the tie decisively against Riga on their own patch.”
Pivotal“Substitute Abdulrahman Taiwo pulled one back for Riga at 87', converting from a sequence that had seen three corners in quick succession. The goal gave Riga a lifeline and set up a frantic finale.”
Pivotal“In the most dramatic moment of the match, Raki Aouani equalised at 2-2 in the 92nd minute, immediately after Riga had sent on fresh legs. A goal that wiped out Riga's momentum and forced extra time — and earned Aouani a yellow card in the celebration.”
Pivotal“Iago Siqueira broke the deadlock in extra time to restore Riga's lead at 3-2, a goal that proved the decisive turning point after the two sides had been level going into the additional period. From that moment, Riga pulled away emphatically.”
Pivotal
Riga
Vardar
Riga were forced the long way around to secure their place in the next round, surviving a gut-punch Vardar equaliser deep in stoppage time before eventually pulling clear with three goals in extra time. Vardar had drawn first blood through David Babunski as early as the 17th minute, before Filip Najdovski's professional-foul red card two minutes later fundamentally shaped the contest. Riga dominated possession at 72% and generated an extraordinary 49 shots off the back of that numerical advantage, yet the match remained on a knife-edge until Raki Aouani headed home at 92' to wipe out Abdulrahman Taiwo's 87th-minute consolation and make it 2-2, threatening a sensational Vardar upset. In extra time, Riga's depth told — Iago Siqueira restored the lead at 105', Reginaldo Ramires made it 4-2 four minutes later, and Caio sealed it with a composed finish at 117' to complete a 5-2 win that flatters the home side given how close it came to going to penalties.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Maksims Tonisevs
Goal - Caio Ferreira 5-2
Corner
On Karl Gameni Wassom，Off Raki Aouani
Darko VelkovskiYellow CardYellow Card - Darko Velkovski
Goal 4-2
Corner
Yellow Card
Goal 3-2
Corner
Goal 3-2
Corner
On Antonijs Cernomordijs，Off Mohamed Badamosi
Yellow Card
Goal - Raki Aouani 2-2
On Maksims Tonisevs，Off Raivis Jurkovskis
On Filip Cvetkovski，Off Mihail Manevski
assist: Reginaldo Ramires
Goal 1-2
Corner
Corner
Corner
On Abdulrahman Taiwo，Off Andres Salazar
On Goran Zakaric，Off Azer Omeragikj
Goal - Azer Omeragikj 0-2
Goal 0-2
Corner
Yellow Card
Corner
On Caio Ferreira，Off Meissa Diop
First Half Ends！0-1
Corner
On Darko Velkovski，Off Miguel Pires
Filip NajdovskiRed CardRed Card - Filip Najdovski
assist: Ian Puleio
Goal 0-1
Corner
Corner
Kick-off! Referee：Wojciech Myc
Riga host Vardar in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round tie, holding a slender 3-2 advantage from a pulsating first leg in Skopje. With European football on the line at Sporta komplekss Ķeizarmežs, Vardar must score to stay alive while Riga can advance with a draw or better.
