Riga eliminated from Champions League after loss to Ararat-Armenia

In the first qualifying round, Riga managed a hard-fought 3-2 home victory at Skonto Stadium on Saturday. However, a week earlier, the Latvian side had suffered a 0-2 defeat in Abovyan, making the aggregate score 3-4 in favor of the Armenian club. As a result, Riga is knocked out of the elite European competition and will continue in the less prestigious Conference League. The outcome stunned many fans and pundits, with reactions of sadness, disappointment, and even disgrace. Riga took an early lead in the first half, but the visitors equalised and then took the lead. The hosts fought back to secure a narrow win in the second leg, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit from the first match. The team now shifts focus to the Conference League, aiming for a better run.