UEFA Champions League 2026/27 | First Qualifying Round, First Leg | Tuesday, 7 July 2026 Abovyan City Stadium, Abovyan, Armenia
Ararat-Armenia have one foot in the next round. Two goals without reply at the Abovyan City Stadium, a red card that swung the match completely at the hour mark, and now a two-goal advantage to protect when Riga FC come to Skonto Stadium next Tuesday.
The Armenian champions managed it professionally. Not spectacular — a 0-0 first half, a tight first hour, then the dam broke. Oliveira scored. Riga lost a man. Franca wrapped it up. Ararat-Armenia 2-0.
This was Manuel Tulipa’s side’s first competitive match of the season. The disadvantage was obvious going in — Riga FC are 22 games into their domestic campaign, sharp and physically prepared, while the Armenian Premier League has not yet started. Match fitness and rhythm were on the Latvian side’s list of advantages. Altitude was on Ararat’s.
The Abovyan City Stadium sits at height. Riga have never been in this environment before. You could see it in the first half — the visitors had their moments, their pressing was organised, Adrian Gula’s tactical preparation was clear in how they structured to deny Ararat the early goal that would have settled the home crowd. Raki Aouani had the clearest Riga attempt before the break. A shot from inside the box that Ararat’s goalkeeper dealt with. Wilson had come on for Malis in the 44th minute — one change before the break as Gula looked to adjust his shape.
The Riga game plan was clear. Stay organised. Deny space in behind. Keep it tight for the first leg and take a level or narrow one-goal deficit to Skonto Stadium where home advantage would matter. For an hour, it was working.
Then Oliveira. In the 63rd minute, the Brazilian midfielder broke through the Riga defensive line and finished. One-nil. The Abovyan crowd came alive. Riga tried to regroup but within nine minutes the match changed shape entirely.
Orols received a red card in the 72nd minute. Down to ten men. Whatever plan Gula had for containing Ararat in the final twenty minutes was rendered largely irrelevant. Ararat had more space. Riga had to defend more desperately.
Oulad M Hand picked up a yellow card in the 68th minute before the red card for Orols. Diop came on for Oulad M Hand in the 86th minute — another substitution managing a damaged evening. Franca, who had replaced Shaghoyan for Ararat in the 72nd minute, scored the second in the 85th minute. Banjaqui came on for Serobyan in the 88th for Riga. Zviedris had come on for Aouani in the 76th. The substitutions told the story of how the second half had unfolded — Riga throwing changes at a situation that had moved beyond their control once Orols walked.
Two-nil. Full time.
Ararat now travel to Riga on July 14 with a two-goal cushion. Skonto Stadium will be a different environment — Riga are second in the Latvian Higher League, one point behind RFS in the title race, playing regularly, in form. The crowd will be behind them. A 2-0 away defeat is recoverable. It requires a clean sheet and two goals at home, or three goals in any combination. It is difficult but very much not impossible.
For Ararat-Armenia, the first leg gives them exactly what home advantage was supposed to deliver. Manuel Tulipa, the Portuguese coach who led the club to the Armenian title with 60 points from 27 matches — four points clear of FC Noah — will want his side to approach the second leg as a new match rather than a formality. Two goals is a lead. Not a guarantee.
Riga FC are making their fourth attempt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. They have never progressed from the qualifying rounds before. Tuesday’s result made it harder. The second leg in Riga next week will tell us whether they can find a way through anyway.
For live Champions League qualifying results and European football coverage, visit fawanews.org.uk. Full fixtures, results and competition information at the official UEFA Champions League website.
Ararat-Armenia 2-0 Riga FC UEFA Champions League 2026/27, First Qualifying Round, First Leg | Tuesday, 7 July 2026 Abovyan City Stadium, Abovyan, Armenia
Goals: Angle Oliveira 63′ (Ararat-Armenia), Carlos Franca 85′ (Ararat-Armenia, sub — came on 72′)
Red Card: F. Orols 72′ (Riga FC) Yellow Cards: S. Oulad M Hand 68′ (Riga FC), M. Badamosi 54′ (Riga FC)
Ararat-Armenia: Manager — Manuel Tulipa | Armenian Premier League champions 2025-26 (60 pts, 27 games) Subs used: Franca for Shaghoyan (72′)
Riga FC: Manager — Adrian Gula | Latvian Higher League champions 2025-26 (88 pts, 36 games, 4th title) Subs used: Wilson for Malis (44′), Zviedris for Aouani (76′), Diop for Oulad M Hand (86′), Banjaqui for Serobyan (88′)
Second leg: Riga FC vs Ararat-Armenia | Tuesday, 14 July 2026 | Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia
