At the Daugava Stadium in Liepāja, Latvian club FK Liepāja defeated Montenegrin side FK Dečić 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 first qualifying round. The only goal of the night came from Joseph Oloko Ede in the 64th minute, assisted by Haidara. The result is all the more remarkable given that Liepāja were reduced to ten men as early as the 21st minute.
Red card shapes the opening half
The match took a dramatic turn early on. Martins received his red card in the 21st minute, forcing head coach Vladimir Vasiliev into an immediate reshuffle: by the 25th minute, Leidsman had been withdrawn and Sorokins introduced in his place — a purely tactical adjustment born of necessity. Dečić, who arrived with a notoriously poor away record, were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the first half, however. Liepāja defended with discipline and the teams went into the break goalless.
Oloko Ede delivers the decisive blow
The second half brought further bookings: Oss (Liepāja) was shown a yellow card in the 48th minute, with Maras (Dečić) following suit in the 58th. Against that tense backdrop, it was Joseph Oloko Ede who settled matters in the 64th minute, converting the game's only goal to make it 1-0. The 24-year-old Nigerian striker, who has been on FK Liepāja's books since January 2025 and wears the number 9 shirt, had been identified beforehand as the hosts' most dangerous attacking threat — and he delivered when it mattered most.
Just six minutes after his goal, Oloko Ede was replaced by Pulis in the 70th minute. Haidara, who had provided the assist, also made way — Ogunniyi coming on for him in the 80th minute. Dečić responded to falling behind with a string of substitutions — Adzovic (65th), Ivanovic and Stanisavic (both 72nd), Djokaj and Jukovic (both 84th) — but none of them could find an equaliser.
The picture ahead of the second leg
FK Liepāja head into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage. The position is favourable, though far from comfortable: a single Dečić goal would blow the tie wide open. Liepāja must also continue to manage the consequences of the early red card, which fundamentally altered the balance of power throughout this first leg. Dečić, for their part, simply must score if they are to force extra time or a penalty shootout.
