Missed opportunity to chase leaders: 'Žalgiris' fell at home to Gargždai 'Banga'

2026-08-16 21:30 © E. Žaldario

After the break, Vilnius "Žalgiris", returning to the Lithuanian championship, lost 2:3 at home to Gargždai "Banga" in the 27th round.

The players of "Žalgiris" took the lead after a goal by Jurijus Kendyš, but soon Ignas Venckus equalized, and in the second half, Deividas Malžinskas and Rokas Filipavičius scored for the guests.

The players from Gargždai were unable to overcome "Žalgiris" for the third time this season. The first match in Vilnius ended in a 1:1 draw, while in Gargždai, "Banga" won 3:0.

Before the match, Nikola Petković, who was named the best player of "Top League" for June-July, was awarded.

Following the trip to Croatia, five changes were made to "Žalgiris" starting lineup. Vincent Šarkauskas, Grigore Turda, Klaudijus Upstas, Ivan Lytvynenko, and Nemanja Mihajlović played from the first minutes. One change was forced – Deividas Šešelka had to miss the match due to collecting four yellow cards. Jonas Usavičius was registered for the first time for the A team match.

The guests started the match more dangerously. In the 8th minute, Vaidas Magdušauskas made a run through the center of the pitch and hit the crossbar from about 20 meters out.

A couple of minutes later, Rokas Filipavičius assisted V. Magdušauskas one-on-one with the goal, but V. Šarkauskas saved his shot.

In the 15th minute, "Žalgiris" created their first serious chance. Stanislavas Bilenkis, receiving the ball in the penalty area, saw his shot deflect past the goal. Soon after, Bryanas Teixeira shot from 18 meters, the goalkeeper saved it, and Dominikas Franke's attempt to repeat the shot was blocked by the opponents.

In the 24th minute, as "Žalgiris" made a mistake going forward, V. Magdušauskas broke free again. His shot hit the crossbar and bounced back onto the goal line.

In the 33rd minute, the home team surged ahead. B. Teixeira passed to S. Bilenkis, who found Jurijus Kendyš in the penalty area. The team captain scored accurately from about 10 meters out – 1:0.

However, "Banga" needed just a minute to level the score. V. Magdušauskas passed the ball to Ignas Venckus, who broke into the penalty area from the left side, bypassed the goalkeeper, and sent the ball into the empty net – 1:1.

During added time in the first half, Aaron Olugbogi shot from about 20 meters, but V. Šarkauskas saved the ball.

In the 54th minute, the guests executed a successful counterattack. Deividas Malžinskas curled the ball into the far corner of the net with his left foot from about 16 meters, putting "Banga" ahead – 1:2.

In the 66th minute, "Banga" increased their lead. After a prolonged counterattack, V. Magdušauskas delivered a pass into the penalty area, and R. Filipavičius hit accurately – 1:3.

At the end of the match, "Žalgiris" launched an assault on the opponents' goal. In the 72nd minute, Matas Vareika shot from the left side, but a defender blocked the ball on the goal line.

In the 82nd minute, Marko Capana had a chance. His shot from about 10 meters was also saved by a "Banga" defender off the goal line.

In the 90th minute, the guest goalkeeper saved two more dangerous attempts by "Žalgiris" – first from M. Vareika, and shortly after from Bryanas Teixeira. After a corner, when the ball fell, M. Vareika struck accurately – 2:3. However, the final assault failed, and the score remained unchanged.

The Vilnius team will play their next match in a week, next Sunday at home against "Džiugas".