Vardar Skopje vs Riga

Vardar started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 28th minute. D. Castañeda found space in the box and finished calmly to put the Macedonian hosts ahead in front of 2,708 spectators at the Toše Proeski Arena.

Riga's response was emphatic. Orlando Galo levelled in the 35th minute, turning home from Raivis Jurkovskis' delivery, and just four minutes later Iago Siqueira put the visitors ahead, finishing from Galo's assist to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Vardar manager Cristian Fabbiani introduced Goran Zakarić at half-time, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Zakarić's cross was met by Gerson Rodrigues in the 66th minute, the header restoring parity at 2-2 and swinging momentum back towards the home side.

But Riga had the final word. Andrés Salazar delivered from the left in the 81st minute and Iago Siqueira produced a composed left-footed finish to claim his second goal of the night and what proved to be the winner. Filip Najdovski was booked in stoppage time as Vardar pushed for a late equaliser that never came.

Vardar had the momentum after Rodrigues' 66th-minute equaliser, and the crowd sensed a potential home win. But Riga weathered the pressure for 15 minutes and struck decisively through Salazar's cross and Siqueira's finish. The timing — with nine minutes remaining — left Vardar too little time to mount a second comeback.

Iago Siqueira (Riga) — Player of the Match. The Brazilian midfielder scored twice (39', 81') on only three shots, taking his chances with clinical efficiency. His first was a composed finish from Galo's pass; his second, a left-footed strike from Salazar's delivery, proved the match-winner.

Orlando Galo (Riga). A goal (35') and an assist for Siqueira's first, plus three key passes from midfield. Booked early (21') but avoided further trouble.

Gerson Rodrigues (Vardar Skopje). The forward led Vardar's line effectively and scored the equaliser with a well-timed header from Zakarić's cross.

Goran Zakarić (Vardar Skopje). Introduced at half-time and immediately changed the game, providing the assist for Rodrigues' 66th-minute equaliser.

Riga's three goals came from just six shots on target, underlining a ruthless edge in front of goal. Vardar's 2-3 defeat — having led 1-0 — marked the second time in three European matches this season they have conceded three goals (after a 4-2 aggregate loss to KuPS in Champions League qualifying). The pattern of conceding in quick succession (two goals in four first-half minutes) will concern Fabbiani heading into the second leg.

Riga take a 3-2 lead back to Skonto Stadium for the second leg on 29 July, needing only a draw to progress to the third qualifying round. Vardar must win by at least two goals, or by a one-goal margin while scoring at least three (e.g. 2-0, 3-1), to advance. The winner will face either Shelbourne or Shkëndija in the third qualifying round.

Both sides entered this competition after being eliminated from Champions League qualifying — Vardar by KuPS (2-4 aggregate), Riga by Ararat-Armenia (3-5 aggregate). Riga's competitive sharpness in the ongoing Virsliga season (where they sit near the top) may have given them an edge over Vardar, whose domestic season in North Macedonia has not yet resumed.

Riga's quality in transition decided this contest. The Brazilian duo of Galo and Iago Siqueira proved too much for Vardar to handle, and the Latvian side's 3-5-2 shape gave them numerical superiority in midfield. Vardar showed spirit to fight back to 2-2, but defensive lapses at key moments — particularly allowing two first-half goals in four minutes — leave them with work to do in the return leg.