FK Liepaja vs Dečić

The match was just 21 minutes old when Marvin Martins was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, forcing Liepaja into a defensive reshuffle. Manager Tamaz Pertia sacrificed forward Kyvon Leidsman for defender Vladislavs Sorokins in the 25th minute, signalling a damage-limitation approach.

Dečić enjoyed sustained spells of possession but failed to turn their numerical advantage into clear-cut chances. Davis Ošs was booked in first-half stoppage time (45+3'), and Dečić centre-back Lazar Maraš followed into the book in the 58th minute for a bad foul.

The breakthrough arrived against the run of play in the 64th minute. Amar Haïdara delivered a cross from the right, and Ede Oloko rose to guide a right-footed shot past the Dečić goalkeeper. It was Oloko's only meaningful involvement — he was substituted off six minutes later for Ingars Pūlis.

Dečić made five substitutions in the second half searching for an equaliser but managed only half-chances. Liepaja's back line, marshalled by Ošs, held firm through four minutes of added time.

Oloko's 64th-minute header was the moment that defied the match's logic. Liepaja had been on the back foot since Martins' 21st-minute dismissal, yet one well-worked move from Haidara and Oloko flipped the tie on its head. The goal forced Dečić to chase the game away from home, a task they never looked capable of completing.

Ede Oloko (Liepaja) — A single moment of quality decided the match. The forward's well-timed run and precise header made the difference on a night when chances were scarce.

Amar Haïdara (Liepaja) — The Malian winger provided the assist and was Liepaja's most dangerous outlet, consistently finding space on the right despite the team's numerical disadvantage.

Davis Ošs (Liepaja) — The Latvian international centre-back was booked in first-half stoppage time but remained disciplined and organised the back line effectively. His aerial dominance neutralised Dečić's crosses.

Detailed match statistics from Sky Sports registered zeroes across most categories, but the key numbers tell the story: Liepaja played 69 minutes with 10 men and still won 1-0. The hosts managed just one shot on target — Oloko's goal — but it was enough. Dečić had 60 minutes of extra-man advantage after the red card and could not find the target. The one yellow card apiece and Liepaja's red card underline a scrappy contest decided by a single moment of quality.

Liepaja carry a 1-0 aggregate lead into the second leg at Dečić's home ground in Tuzi, Montenegro, on 15 July 2026. The Latvian side need to avoid defeat to progress to the second qualifying round for the first time since 2022, when they eliminated Gjilani before falling to Young Boys. Dečić — who exited in the first qualifying round to Sileks in 2025 — must win by two goals or by one goal while scoring at least twice to advance.

A smash-and-grab win built on defensive resilience and one moment of quality. Liepaja showed admirable character after the early red card, but the tie is far from over. Dečić will back themselves to overturn a one-goal deficit on home soil.