Spaeri FC 2–1 FC Meshakhte Tkibuli: Late drama secures vital Erovnuli Liga points

Spaeri FC edged past FC Meshakhte Tkibuli 2–1 in a tense Georgia Erovnuli Liga encounter on 26 May 2026, taking all three points with a stoppage‑time winner. The match at the David Kipiani Stadium swung back and forth before the hosts finally broke Tkibuli’s resistance.

Fast start from the hosts

Spaeri opened the scoring in the 11th minute through a well‑struck volley from striker Giorgi Kvilitaia. The forward latched onto a cross from the right and smashed the ball into the bottom corner, giving the Tkibuli goalkeeper no chance. The home side dominated possession in the first half, with their midfield trio of Tchanturia, Lobjanidze, and Samushia controlling the tempo.

Chances continued to arrive: Kvilitaia hit the post in the 34th minute, and left‑back Luka Beridze forced a sharp save from a free‑kick just outside the box. Spaeri went into the break deservedly ahead but knowing they should have added a second.

Tkibuli fight back, only to be denied

FC Meshakhte Tkibuli emerged with renewed energy after halftime. They equalised in the 58th minute when a defensive mix‑up allowed midfielder Luka Shengelia to slot home from close range after a corner was not cleared. The visitors grew in confidence and began to push for a winner, but Spaeri’s back line held firm.

Just as the match seemed destined for a share of the spoils, Spaeri produced a moment of magic. Deep into stoppage time (90+3), substitute forward Vakhtang Tskhadadze collected a lofted ball on the edge of the box, turned his marker, and curled a precise shot inside the far post. The home bench and crowd erupted as Tkibuli’s players sank to the turf in despair.

Key tactical observations

• Spaeri FC used a 4‑3‑3 formation that allowed their full‑backs to push high, stretching Tkibuli’s defence. The midfield overload created space for the wide attackers.
• FC Meshakhte Tkibuli sat deep in the first half but pressed higher after the restart, which led to their equaliser but also left gaps that Spaeri exploited in the final seconds.

Season context

The win lifted Spaeri FC to fourth place in the Erovnuli Liga, keeping them in contention for a European qualification spot. For FC Meshakhte Tkibuli, the heartbreaking late defeat left them just above the relegation zone with only two wins from their first seven matches. The club will be rueing their inability to close out a game they had fought back into.

Spaeri’s resilience and quality in depth – particularly from the bench – proved decisive, and they will carry considerable momentum into their next league fixture against FC Samtredia.