Køge took a commanding step towards the final with a 4:1 victory over Riga in the second qualifying round semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League. The Danish side played at home on August 5th and never looked back after opening the scoring early. Riga had won their previous two matches by identical 4:1 scores, but this time the script was written differently.
R. Gaugere gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute. M. Schultz doubled the advantage fourteen minutes later, and by then Køge had sensed blood. The visitors added an own goal through N. Taketa in stoppage time, but the result was never in doubt after the first twenty minutes.
And here's the thing — Køge didn't just win, they controlled the tempo. N. Nadim and S. Thygesen scored in the second half to put the nail in the coffin. Riga's M. Rahimova and K. Z. Brima picked up yellow cards, but the bookings told a different story than the scoreline.
Køge made four substitutions while Riga brought on three players. W. Mitani, R. Madsen, C. Paulson, and N. Preijere came off the bench for the hosts. M. Rahimova and Z. Witek were the visitors' changes. The game had been won inside seventy minutes.
The result puts Køge one step closer to the next round. They have been in fine form recently, winning five consecutive matches including a 4:0 victory over Women's AC Aahus earlier this week. Riga's European hopes now hang on the return leg.