Kaunas Zalgiris II saw off Garliava 3:2 in the 25th round of the 1 Liga on 19 September 2026. The hosts pressed forward after a shaky start, while the visitors were reduced to ten men and fought back late. By then both sides sat on 22 points, separated only by goal difference.
C. Da Cruz opened the scoring in the 38th minute, catching Garliava on the break. The visitors equalised through J. Pastukas in the 67th, but a red card changed the complexion of the game. V. Okechukwu struck twice — in the 70th and 80th — to put Zalgiris II in control. I. Gambo pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was too little too late.
Zalgiris II dominated possession at 64 per cent and registered 192 attacks compared to 113 from Garliava. They hit the target six times, while the visitors managed five. The hosts also earned four corners to two, though the extra man gave Garliava chances to stay in the game.
Both sides had three yellow cards between them, though Garliava's red card ultimately decided the balance. Zalgiris II kept their defensive shape better, committing only one offside compared to two for the visitors. The statistics suggested a comfortable win, but the late goal proved the match was never entirely dead.
Zalgiris II remain 12th in the table after 24 games, while Garliava sit 11th. The result broke a run of poor form for the hosts, who had lost three of their last five before this victory. For Garliava, it was another disappointment in a season that has seen them struggle for consistency.
We had backed a home win with 40 per cent confidence and got it right — not that the match played out as expected. Garliava's discipline held firm for the first hour, but the red card and Okechukwu's efficiency shifted the momentum. Things came to a head after the break, and Zalgiris II made their superiority count.