The first half belonged to Győr in moments that mattered. They created three big chances to Riga’s one and led 1-0 at the break thanks to Gavrić’s cool penalty on 28 minutes. Efraín Juárez’s side were tidy on the break and found space to attack the channels, completing 4 of 11 crosses and putting 4 of their 8 first‑half shots on target.

Riga adjusted after halftime and pushed the hosts deeper. The visitors turned possession into territory, finishing with 65 final third entries to Győr’s 29 and 36 touches in the box to 17. Pressure kept mounting through set pieces and crosses, and it finally told in the 88th minute when Andrés Salazar’s delivery found Ferreira for the decisive header. The 1-1 final meant Riga won the tie 2-1 on aggregate.

Riga’s control told in the numbers

The visitors produced 22 total shots to Győr’s 10 and hit the target seven times. They also hit the woodwork once through Paulo and forced 39 defensive clearances from the hosts, a figure that underlined Győr’s deep second‑half block. Riga’s crossing volume was high, 38 attempts with eight finding a teammate, and they kept recycling pressure with 11 corners.

In midfield and buildup, Riga completed 534 passes to Győr’s 304, with 463 accurate, and won 89 percent of their tackles. They also edged duels at 51 percent and posted more interceptions and recoveries, 15 and 57 respectively. The balance of play was clear, and while efficiency lagged at times, their territorial advantage made the late breakthrough feel inevitable.

Győr’s plan worked early but waste proved costly

Győr were organized and dangerous when they broke. They finished with a better cross accuracy at 37 percent and a higher dribble success at 62 percent. The penalty award came from sharp play in the box, and they continued to threaten in transition with seven shots inside the penalty area overall.

The flipside was execution. Győr registered four big chances, scored one, and missed three. They had only 2 shots after halftime and generated just two corners in the second half. Samuel Petrás did his part with five saves, including three from inside the box, but the home side could not stem the flow of entries into their defensive third. Two injury‑enforced changes in the second half, including Szabolcs Schön on 74 minutes and Ádám Décsy on 84 minutes, did not help their rhythm in the closing stages.

Match MVP: Andrés Salazar’s full‑back masterclass

Riga’s right‑back Andrés Salazar earned a Sofascore Rating of 8.5 and the Player of the Match award, and it was fully deserved. He provided the 88th‑minute assist with a pinpoint cross for Ferreira’s header, one of two key passes on the night and part of one big chance created. He attempted 16 crosses, completed three, and was a constant outlet down the flank.

Beyond the assist, Salazar’s all‑round data jumps off the page. He completed 56 of 64 passes, hit 4 of 7 long balls, and recorded 106 touches, the most on the pitch. Defensively he registered five clearances, including one off the line, plus three interceptions and one block. He carried the ball 24 times for 213.5 meters, progressing play by 134.2 meters in total. It was the kind of two‑way performance that anchors a comeback and, as the numbers show, shaped the outcome.

Other standouts and small margins

For Riga, super‑sub Caio Ferreira needed only 13 minutes to post a 7.5 Sofascore Rating, scoring with his only shot on target while also blocking a shot and winning a tackle. Paulo’s ball‑playing stood out with 77 of 80 passes completed and two shots, one off the frame. In midfield, Ahmed Ankrah quietly kept the ball moving with 47 accurate passes and nine recoveries.

Győr’s best numbers came from Bálint Selyem, who earned an 8.0 Sofascore Rating with four accurate crosses, eight clearances and two key passes from full‑back. Claudiu Bumba added a 7.5 with two key passes and a big chance created, while captain Miljan Krpić posted a 7.4 built on five clearances and three blocks. Despite those efforts, the margins went Riga’s way, especially in the final third where volume, corners, and sustained pressure swung the tie.

Riga FC advance from Qualification Round 3 after a smart away performance and a timely late goal. Fans can dive deeper into player heatmaps, passing networks and every Sofascore Rating from this match on Sofascore.