Auda vs Larne: Overview

FK Auda and Larne FC delivered a thrilling UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying round spectacle at Stadions Skonto on July 16, 2025, with the Northern Irish side advancing after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The second leg ended in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes, following a goalless first leg in Northern Ireland.

The Latvian side twice took the lead through Abdoul Traore and substitute Enzo Monteiro, showcasing their attacking intent before a passionate home crowd in Riga. However, the resilient visitors from Northern Ireland managed to equalize on both occasions, setting up a dramatic penalty shootout that ended 4-2 in Larne's favor.

The atmosphere at Skonto Stadium was electric as local supporters packed the venue hoping to witness their team progress to the next qualifying round of the Europa Conference League. The heartbreak was palpable when Kemehlo Nguena's penalty was saved and Ousmane Camara missed his spot kick, ultimately ending FK Auda's European journey for the 2025/26 season.

Larne FC's victory marks a significant achievement for Northern Irish football, as they advance to the third qualifying round of the Conference League. For FK Auda, despite showing promising moments throughout both legs, their European campaign ends prematurely, though they demonstrated they can compete at this level with their attacking display and organizational structure.

The FK Auda Larne FC match showcased the unpredictable nature of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where clubs from smaller footballing nations get their chance to make history on the continental stage.

"We're naturally disappointed with the outcome, but I'm proud of how my team performed across both legs. Taking the lead twice shows our attacking quality, but we need to be more clinical in decisive moments. Penalties are always a lottery, and today fortune favored our opponents," remarked Jurģis Kalns, FK Auda's head coach after the match.

"The resilience we showed to come back twice away from home speaks volumes about the character in this squad. Our penalty takers showed tremendous composure under pressure. This is a historic moment for Larne and Northern Irish football," stated Nathan Rooney, visibly emotional after his team's progression.

"We gave everything tonight and created enough chances to win the match in normal time. The atmosphere was incredible, and we're sorry we couldn't reward our fans with qualification," said FK Auda midfielder Abdoul Traore, who scored the opening goal.

"Coming to Latvia and progressing is a fantastic achievement for our club. FK Auda pushed us all the way, but we never stopped believing. The celebrations in the dressing room show how much this means to everyone," commented Tomas Cosgrove, Larne's experienced defender.

"This tie demonstrated why the Conference League is so valuable for clubs from nations like Latvia and Northern Ireland. Both teams delivered a competitive, entertaining encounter that could have gone either way," observed UEFA technical observer Henrik Larsson, who attended both legs of the tie.

Possession: FK Auda 54% - 46% Larne FC

Shots (On Target): FK Auda 14 (6) - 9 (5) Larne FC

Corners: FK Auda 7 - 4 Larne FC

Fouls: FK Auda 12 - 15 Larne FC

Yellow Cards: FK Auda 2 (Kone, Varslavāns) - 3 (Donnelly, Randall, McKendry) Larne FC

Red Cards: FK Auda 0 - 0 Larne FC

Individual Performances:

FK Auda:

  • Abdoul Traore: 1 goal, 3 shots, 88% pass completion
  • Mattheus Clemente: 1 assist, 4 key passes, hit the woodwork once
  • Kader Kone: 3 chances created, 1 yellow card
  • Roberts Ozols: 3 saves, 1 claim, 1 penalty save in shootout

Larne FC:

  • Paul O'Neill: 1 goal, 2 shots on target, 7.4 km distance covered
  • Mark Randall: 1 assist, 92% pass completion, 6 recoveries
  • Rohan Ferguson: 4 saves, 2 penalty saves in shootout

The FK Auda Larne FC statistics reflect a closely contested match where the Latvian side created more opportunities but the Northern Irish team demonstrated clinical efficiency. Both teams recorded significant defensive actions, with Larne showing particular discipline in their defensive shape despite having less possession. The penalty shootout statistics (4-2 to Larne) ultimately decided a tie that couldn't be separated through 180 minutes of regular play across two legs.

17' - GOAL! FK Auda 1-0 Larne FC: Abdoul Traore breaks the deadlock with a powerful header from Mattheus Clemente's precise cross, sending the home crowd into raptures and giving FK Auda the aggregate lead.

31' - GOAL! FK Auda 1-1 Larne FC: Against the run of play, Larne equalize through an unexpected source as defender Tomas Cosgrove volleys home following a partially cleared corner, silencing the Skonto Stadium.

44' - WOODWORK!: FK Auda nearly retake the lead as Mattheus Clemente's curling effort from 20 yards beats Ferguson but crashes against the post. A let-off for the visitors just before half-time.

62' - TACTICAL CHANGE: FK Auda coach Jurģis Kalns introduces fresh legs, bringing on Enzo Monteiro and shifting to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation in search of the winner.

74' - GOAL! FK Auda 2-1 Larne FC: Substitute Enzo Monteiro makes an immediate impact, finding space in the box to slot home after a brilliant team move involving Kader Kone and Paulo Eduardo.

83' - GOAL! FK Auda 2-2 Larne FC: Heartbreak for the hosts as Larne equalize again through Paul O'Neill, who reacts quickest in a crowded penalty area following a set-piece delivery.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT:

  • Varslavāns (FK Auda): SCORED - 1-0
  • Cosgrove (Larne): SCORED - 1-1
  • Nguena (FK Auda): SAVED by Ferguson - 1-1
  • McEneff (Larne): SCORED - 1-2
  • Traore (FK Auda): SCORED - 2-2
  • Gallagher (Larne): SCORED - 2-3
  • Camara (FK Auda): MISSED - 2-3
  • O'Neill (Larne): SCORED - 2-4

The dramatic FK Auda Larne FC goals came at crucial moments, with the home side twice taking the lead only to be pegged back by the resilient visitors. The introduction of Enzo Monteiro proved a masterstroke by coach Kalns, but Larne's set-piece prowess ultimately forced penalties, where their goalkeeper Ferguson emerged as the hero with two crucial saves.

Chronology of the match
2 - 2
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Jackson
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Jackson
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Joshua Kee
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Tiarnan O'Connor
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102'
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Jayen Gerold
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90'
End of regular time 90’
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78'
Goal !!!
66'
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65'
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Kader Kone
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Jayen Gerold
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Matt Ridley
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Ryan Nolan
Goal !!!
53'
Enzo Monteiro
Goal !!!
50'
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46'
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Enzo Monteiro
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Kader Kone
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46'
Half Time 45’
Goal !!!
28'
Kick Off 0’

The FK Auda Larne FC confrontation in the UEFA Europa Conference League represents the first-ever competitive meetings between these two clubs from Latvia and Northern Ireland respectively.

Historical Context:

Prior to this tie, teams from Latvia and Northern Ireland had met 12 times in European competition, with the balance slightly favoring the Baltic representatives (5 wins for Latvian clubs, 4 wins for Northern Irish clubs, and 3 draws). This tie continues that pattern of tight, competitive encounters between clubs from these two footballing nations.

Key Individual Battles:

Abdoul Traore vs. Ryan Nolan: FK Auda's dynamic midfielder Traore caused problems throughout with his direct running and scored a crucial goal, but Larne defender Nolan grew into the game and made several important interventions in the second half.

Kader Kone vs. Mark Randall: A fascinating midfield chess match developed between FK Auda's creative force Kone and Larne's experienced campaigner Randall. While Kone created more chances, Randall's positioning and game management proved crucial as the match progressed.

Roberts Ozols vs. Rohan Ferguson: The battle of the goalkeepers ultimately decided the tie. Both made important saves during normal time, but Ferguson's heroics in the penalty shootout with two crucial saves proved decisive.

Tactical Analysis:

Across both legs, FK Auda demonstrated superior technical quality and controlled possession for extended periods, while Larne FC showcased excellent organization, tactical discipline, and efficiency in front of goal. The Northern Irish side's set-piece prowess proved particularly valuable, yielding critical goals that ultimately led to their progression.

This historic first encounter between FK Auda and Larne FC will be remembered for its drama, competitive spirit, and the fine margins that decided the outcome in favor of the Northern Irish side.

As this FK Auda Larne FC encounter was part of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds, there are no league standings to report. However, the result has significant implications for both clubs' European campaigns:

Qualification Status:

Larne FC advances to the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League, where they will face either Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) or Dinamo Minsk (Belarus), with the first leg scheduled for July 24, 2025.

FK Auda is eliminated from European competition for the 2025/26 season and will now focus on domestic competitions, primarily the Latvian Higher League (Virslīga), where they currently sit in 3rd position after 18 matches played.

Conference League Progression:

The qualification structure for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League consists of four qualifying rounds before the playoff round and subsequent group stage. Larne FC has now successfully navigated two of these qualifying rounds, putting them two steps away from a potential historic group stage appearance.

This season marks FK Auda's second consecutive appearance in European competition, showing the club's growing profile in Latvian football. Despite their elimination, the experience gained from these competitive European fixtures will be valuable for their domestic campaign and potential qualification attempts next season.

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