Žalgiris narrowly defeated the outsiders

2025-08-17 18:39 © fkzalgiris.lt

In the capital's team derby, "Žalgiris" outperformed "Riteriai" on their home ground and secured their fourth victory in the last five home games.

The "Riteriai" team was led forward at the start of the match by a precisely completed attack from Leifo Estevez, but soon after a rebound, the score was equalized by Liviu Antalis, and in the middle of the second half, the winning goal was scored by Machopas Cholas, who appeared on the field after a substitution.

There were five changes in the team lineup after the previous match – starting players were M. Šetkus, D. Salčinovičius, K. Bička, N. Mihajlovičius, and K. Hadji.

D. Ofori missed the match due to cards, while L. Dumančičius and V. Radenovičius were sidelined due to injuries.

At the beginning of the match, Ovidijus Verbickas threatened the opponent's goal with a long shot.

In the 14th minute, the visitors took the lead – in a counterattack, L. Estevez avoided offside and, finding himself one-on-one, shot accurately.

The score was quickly equalized. In the 21st minute, after a shot from N. Mihajlovičius that rebounded, L. Antalis redirected the ball into the net.

In the 35th minute, in a quick attack, K. Hadji had the ideal chance after L. Antalis's pass, but he hesitated with the ball in the penalty area, and the shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the 36th minute, the opposing goalkeeper caught the ball after a header from L. Antalis.

At the beginning of the second half, J. Kendyš had a couple of dangerous shots – from distance and with a header.

In the 53rd minute, the opposing goalkeeper saved a long shot by N. Mihajlovičius, and in the 55th minute, he saved O. Verbicko's shot from the right flank.

In the 56th minute, "Riteriai" player A. Kaulinis dangerously headed the ball, and in the 58th minute, M. Cholo's shot was blocked by a defender.

In the 64th minute, G. Matulevičius shot inaccurately from the center of the penalty area.

The pressure from "Žalgiris" finally paid off in the 68th minute. After G. Matulevičius's pass, M. Cholas shot accurately from the edge of the penalty area.

As the main time was coming to an end, the visitors also had a chance – after a corner kick, M. Rutkovskis dangerously headed the ball.

During added time, K. Lukaševičius missed a chance, heading the ball wide from close range, as did the opposing player J. Usavičius.