Match report

Apoel Nicosia Defeats Rīgas FS 2–1 in Europa League

Apoel Nicosia
Apoel Nicosia
2–1
PEN
Rīgas FS
Rīgas FS
Aug 29, 2024

Apoel Nicosia secured a narrow but critical victory over Rīgas FS by a score of 2–1 in the UEFA Europa League. Despite conceding an early goal to Jānis Ikaunieks, Apoel Nicosia fought back with goals from Miroslav Susic and Aleksandar Donis. The match was characterized by intense defensive play and frequent substitutions, but ultimately Apoel Nicosia's resilience paid off.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Apoel Nicosia 2–1 Rīgas FS (UEFA Europa League)
  • • Jānis Ikaunieks scored for Rīgas FS at the 40th minute
  • • Miroslav Susic equalized for Apoel Nicosia in the 75th minute
  • • Aleksandar Donis secured the win with a goal in the 94th minute (extra time)
  • • Rīgas FS received multiple yellow cards, including one to Jānis Ikaunieks

Lineups

Apoel Nicosia

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Starting XI

  • 27 V. Belec (G)
  • 29 I. Chebake (D)
  • 3 R. Petrović (D)
  • 5 L. Dvali (D)
  • 19 Xavi Quintillà (D)
  • 7 M. Meyer (M)
  • 8 Sergio Tejera (M)
  • 44 K. Sarfo (M)
  • 77 D. Ndongala (M)
  • 10 Marquinhos (M)
  • 9 Y. El-Arabi (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 M. Sušić
  • 11 A. Donis
  • 20 S. Dražić
  • 70 G. Kostadinov
  • 4 Cipriano
  • 30 M. Corbu
  • 34 K. Laifis
  • 23 P. Kattirtzis
  • 18 G. Satsias
  • 78 S. Michos
  • 22 A. Christodoulou
  • 35 P. Polycarpou

Rīgas FS

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 40 F. Ondoa (G)
  • 23 H. Prenga (D)
  • 2 D. Balodis (D)
  • 43 Ž. Lipušček (D)
  • 11 R. Savaļnieks (D)
  • 27 A. Markhiev (M)
  • 26 S. Panič (M)
  • 8 L. Odisharia (M)
  • 9 J. Ikaunieks (M)
  • 7 I. Diomandé (F)
  • 17 C. Kouadio (M)

Substitutes

  • 15 R. Ndjiki
  • 10 Emerson Deocleciano
  • 3 V. Osuagwu
  • 49 M. Ķigurs
  • 77 L. Silagadze
  • 21 E. Stuglis
  • 1 P. Šteinbors
  • 16 S. Vilkovs
  • 30 H. Njie

Timeline

  1. Rīgas FS
    20' Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Diomandé · On: R. Ndjiki
  2. Rīgas FS
    23' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    A. Markhiev
  3. Rīgas FS
    40' Rīgas FS Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Ikaunieks · Assist: R. Savalnieks
  4. Apoel Nicosia
    44' Apoel Nicosia Card · Yellow Card
    I. Chebake
  5. Rīgas FS
    52' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    J. Ikaunieks
  6. Apoel Nicosia
    53' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Chebake · On: M. Susic
  7. Apoel Nicosia
    53' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Marquinhos · On: A. Donis
  8. Rīgas FS
    56' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    H. Prenga
  9. Rīgas FS
    60' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    L. Odisharia
  10. Apoel Nicosia
    65' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Meyer · On: S. Dražić
  11. Rīgas FS
    67' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    C. Kouadio
  12. Rīgas FS
    67' Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Ndjiki · On: Emerson Deocleciano
  13. Rīgas FS
    67' Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Kouadio · On: V. Osuagwu
  14. Apoel Nicosia
    75' Apoel Nicosia Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Susic · Assist: D. Ndongala
  15. Apoel Nicosia
    80' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Sergio Tejera · On: Georgi Kostadinov
  16. Apoel Nicosia
    90'+1 Apoel Nicosia Card · Yellow Card
    R. Petrović
  17. Rīgas FS
    90'+2 Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 4
    Off: V. Osuagwu · On: M. Kigurs
  18. Apoel Nicosia
    90'+4 Apoel Nicosia Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Donis · Assist: M. Susic
  19. Rīgas FS
    94' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    Žiga Lipušček
  20. Apoel Nicosia
    98' Apoel Nicosia Card · Yellow Card
    A. Donis
  21. Apoel Nicosia
    105' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Petrović · On: Cipriano
  22. Rīgas FS
    108' Rīgas FS Card · Yellow Card
    M. Kigurs
  23. Rīgas FS
    109' Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Emerson Deocleciano · On: L. Silagadze
  24. Rīgas FS
    110' Rīgas FS subst · Substitution 6
    Off: L. Odisharia · On: E. Stuglis
  25. Apoel Nicosia
    112' Apoel Nicosia subst · Substitution 6
    Off: D. Ndongala · On: M. Corbu
  26. Rīgas FS
    120'+7 Rīgas FS Goal · Penalty
    S. Panic

    Penalty Shootout

  27. Apoel Nicosia
    120'+8 Apoel Nicosia Goal · Missed Penalty
    L. Dvali

    Penalty Shootout

Match Stats

Stat Apoel Nicosia Rīgas FS
Fouls 15 22
Pass Accuracy — —
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards 0 0
Total Shots 20 9
Corners 5 4
Total Passes — —
Yellow Cards 4 7
Blocked Shots 3 1
Shots on Target 5 3
xG — —
Shots off Target 12 5
Possession 63% 37%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes — —
Shots Inside Box — —
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box — —

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Apoel Nicosia's equalizing goal by Miroslav Susic in the 75th minute shifted momentum back in their favor after Rīgas FS took an early lead
  • ▸ Aleksandar Donis' winning goal at the start of extra time (94th minute) sealed Apoel Nicosia’s victory, demonstrating their resilience and tactical superiority