Žalgiris Vilnius Crushes Dinamo Tbilisi 7–2 in UEFA Europa Conference League Thriller

FK Žalgiris Vilnius put on a stunning attacking display on 31 July 2026, dismantling Dinamo Tbilisi 7–2 at home in the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round. The Lithuanian champions raced to a commanding lead before halftime, leaving the Georgian side shell-shocked.

The match at LFF Stadium in Vilnius was over as a contest by the 35th minute, with Žalgiris already 4–0 up thanks to a hat-trick from striker Giedrius Matulevičius. Dinamo Tbilisi pulled two goals back either side of the break through Giorgi Mikautadze and Tornike Okriashvili, but Žalgiris responded with three more second‑half strikes to seal their biggest European win in years.

First‑Half Onslaught

Žalgiris started at breakneck speed. Matulevičius opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a close-range header from a corner, doubled the lead with a curling effort from 20 yards in the 22nd minute, and completed his hat‑trick with a clinical finish after a neat one‑two in the 34th minute. Winger Arvydas Novikovas added a fourth just before the half‑hour mark with a low drive that beat the Dinamo goalkeeper at his near post.

Second‑Half Response and Final Flourish

Dinamo Tbilisi showed some fight at the start of the second half. Mikautadze finished a counter‑attack in the 51st minute, and Okriashvili volleyed home from a set piece in the 63rd minute to make it 4–2. But any hope of a comeback was short‑lived. Žalgiris restored their three‑goal cushion in the 71st minute when substitute Karolis Laukžemis headed home a cross, then Matulevičius fired in his fourth goal nine minutes later. Defender Edvinas Girdvainis completed the rout with a powerful header from a free‑kick in the 88th minute.

Key Statistics

• Goals: Žalgiris 7 – Dinamo Tbilisi 2
• Possession: Žalgiris 48% – 52% Dinamo Tbilisi
• Shots on target: Žalgiris 11 – 5 Dinamo Tbilisi
• Man of the Match: Giedrius Matulevičius (4 goals)

The result gives Žalgiris a massive advantage ahead of the second leg in Tbilisi, with the tie effectively already decided. Dinamo will need a miracle to overturn a five‑goal deficit.