Ķigurs scores twice to seal RFS victory in Belfast

The match in Belfast started nervously for RFS when Glentoran had a header flash just wide from a corner in the first minute. The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute as Zeno Rossi met a corner kick at the near post and headed home.

RFS responded just before halftime. Substitute Mārtiņš Ķigurs, who had replaced the injured Ismael Diomandé in the 32nd minute, shot from 16 meters. The goalkeeper parried the ball onto the post, but Ķigurs was first to the rebound and tucked it in to make it 1-1.

In the 70th minute, Ķigurs struck again with a spectacular effort from 24 meters. The ball bounced just in front of the goalkeeper, catching him off guard, and sailed into the net to give RFS a 2-1 lead. Earlier, Ķigurs had missed a golden chance following a pass from Rostand Ndjiki, and Ndjiki himself had a goal disallowed due to a foul by RFS.

The return leg will take place on July 16 at 19:30 in Riga. The winner of this tie will face the loser of the Qarabag vs. Vestri clash in the second qualifying round; Qarabag won the first leg 3-0 at home.