Honestly, if you told a casual football fan back in 2024 that a club from Latvia—a team that literally didn't exist in its current form twenty years ago—would take down the four-time European champions, they’d probably tell you to put down the remote. But that’s exactly what happened.
The Rigas FS vs Ajax match wasn’t just another Thursday night in the Europa League. It was a complete system failure for the Dutch giants and a masterclass in "parking the bus" with style by RFS.
The Night the Giants Froze in Riga
Let’s be real: Ajax arrived in Latvia expecting a training session. They brought 2,500 fans who basically took over the Old Town, setting off fireworks near the Freedom Monument and treating the city like a playground. On paper, it was a mismatch of epic proportions. Ajax, with their storied academy and massive wage bill, against RFS, a team playing in a stadium with a capacity of barely 10,000.
But January in Riga is a different beast.
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The temperature was biting, and the pitch at the Daugava Stadium was heavy. RFS hadn't played a competitive match in weeks because the Latvian league was on its winter break. Coach Viktors Morozs had to keep his guys sharp with friendlies that weren't exactly at the intensity of a European night. Yet, when the whistle blew on January 23, 2025, the Latvian champions looked like the ones with something to prove.
Ajax had the ball. A lot of it. 70% possession to be exact. But possession is a lie if you don't do anything with it.
Why the Tactics Actually Worked
It wasn't just luck. RFS played a disciplined 3-4-3 that shifted into a five-man wall the moment Ajax crossed the halfway line. Stefan Panić and Adam Markhiyev weren't just running; they were closing gaps that Brian Brobbey and Mika Godts usually exploit for fun.
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- The Markhiyev Moment: In the 78th minute, everything changed. Adam Markhiyev, a 22-year-old who had already picked up a yellow card earlier for a tactical foul, found himself in the right spot. He struck the ball, it hit the back of the net, and the Daugava Stadium erupted.
- The Panic in Amsterdam: You could see the frustration on Remko Pasveer’s face. He’s 41 years old; he’s seen it all, but he couldn't believe his defense had let a team 32nd in the table slip through.
- The Late Surge: Ajax threw everything at them. Wout Weghorst came on to provide that typical "Plan B" height, but Ziga Lipuscek and Herdi Prenga played like men possessed. They headed away every cross. They blocked every lane.
Breaking Down the Aftermath
People often ask if this was a fluke. If you look at the stats, Ajax had an Expected Goals (xG) of nearly 1.0, while RFS was sitting at a measly 0.21. In most universes, Ajax wins that game 2-0 or 3-0. But football isn't played on a spreadsheet.
For RFS, this 1-0 victory was the crown jewel of their 2024-25 campaign. Even though they struggled elsewhere—losing to the likes of PAOK and Eintracht Frankfurt—this result put Latvian football on the map in a way that hadn't been seen since Skonto Riga's heyday.
What This Taught Us About Modern Ajax
Ajax is in a weird spot. By the time 2026 rolled around, we saw a lot of those players move on. Jordan Henderson left for Brentford. Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traoré headed to Sunderland. The "Ajax DNA" felt a bit diluted that night. They lacked the clinical edge that defined the Ten Hag era. They were predictable.
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If you're a bettor or a tactical nerd, the lesson here was simple: never underestimate a well-coached underdog playing in sub-zero temperatures.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're looking back at the Rigas FS vs Ajax rivalry or preparing for future matchups between Baltic teams and European elites, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Winter Breaks: Teams like RFS are often fresher but lack "match rhythm." This can lead to slow starts or, conversely, a massive energy surge if they survive the first 20 minutes.
- The Home Ground Factor: The Daugava Stadium isn't the Johan Cruyff Arena. It’s tight, it’s loud, and the grass (or lack thereof in January) acts as a natural equalizer.
- Youth vs. Experience: Ajax always plays the kids. Jorthy Mokio and Mika Godts are stars, but they can be bullied by veterans like Panić who know how to use "the dark arts" of defending.
Moving forward, don't just check the names on the back of the jersey. Look at the context of the calendar and the climate. Riga proved that on any given Thursday, the giants can definitely be toppled. If you want to understand why RFS is currently dominating the Virslīga, look no further than the defensive discipline they showed against the Amsterdam elite. It's the blueprint they use for every big game now.
To get the most out of following these teams, you should track the player development of Adam Markhiyev—his value skyrocketed after that goal, and he's likely the next big export from the Latvian league. Keep an eye on his transition to a bigger European league this summer.