Cigaņiks ties the record, Latvia can’t find the answer to star-studded English side

In front of a record-setting crowd of 10,404 since regaining independence, the Latvia national football team were outmatched but not outcheered, as the star-studded England national football team cruised to a 5-0 victory in their historic first meeting at BTA Daugava Stadium in Rīga. England captain Harry Kane led the charge with a clinical brace, while the hosts showed flashes of ambition but were ultimately punished for their mistakes.

Latvia’s manager Paolo Nicolato opted for three changes to the starting XI following the 2-2 draw against Andorra national football team. Jānis Ikaunieks, Lūkass Vapne and Roberts Veips entered the lineup, with Veips making his first-ever senior international start, replacing Roberts Savaļnieks, Aleksejs Saveļjevs, and the injured Dario Šits. Meanwhile, Andrejs Cigaņiks marked a personal milestone – by starting the match, he tied Andrejs Rubins’ national record of 59 consecutive starts for Latvia. The energy in the stands was palpable as both sets of fans roared from kickoff, setting the stage for an intense night of football.

The early stages saw England’s quality shine through. In the 7th minute, Anthony Gordon whipped in a dangerous cross for Kane, whose effort whistled just wide. Latvia responded with a promising attack of their own, but Vladislavs Gutkovskis narrowly missed connecting with Cigaņiks’ teasing delivery. England’s breakthrough came in the 25th minute. Gordon, a constant menace on the left, broke past Raivis Andris Jurkovskis, cut inside, and unleashed a low drive into the bottom corner past Krišjānis Zviedris — 1-0 to the visitors. Latvia didn’t fold. They carved out a dangerous moment when a clever Renārs Varslavāns back-heel flick forced England into conceding a corner. After a brief VAR check by the Greek referee crew, play resumed without a penalty call.

England doubled their lead after a costly Latvian mistake. Pressing high, Kane forced Cigaņiks into an error, pounced on the loose ball, and fired a precise shot into the bottom corner from distance. Just before halftime, another blow: VAR revealed Antonijs Černomordijs had held Kane inside the box. The England captain converted the penalty with his trademark composure, securing his brace and a 3-0 halftime scoreline.

Latvia started the second half with a substitution – Maksims Toņiševs came on for Jurkovskis, making his senior debut. England, however, maintained their dominance. A Declan Rice free kick nearly made it four, but Gutkovskis had Latvia’s best spell soon after, twice threatening England’s defense in quick succession. Unfortunately for the debutant, Toņiševs found himself on the wrong end of an unlucky deflection in the 58th minute. A Djed Spence cross caused chaos in the box, Zviedris failed to clear, and the ball ricocheted off Toņiševs into the net for an own goal.

But the youngster nearly made amends just minutes later, forcing Jordan Pickford into a fingertip save. Latvia’s second shot on target came from Eduards Dašķevičs, who stung the England goalkeeper’s gloves following a corner. Nicolato threw on fresh legs in Marko Regža and Aleksejs Saveļjevs, pushing for a consolation goal. But England struck again on the counter. Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze curled in a stunning strike to make it 5-0, putting the result well beyond doubt. In the closing moments, Kristaps Grabovskis came on to make his international debut, marking another small but meaningful moment for Latvia despite the defeat.

Latvia vs England – 0:5 (0:3)
Goals: Gordon 25’, Kane 44’, 45+4’, Toņiševs 58’ (Own goal), Eze 86’
LAT: Zviedris, Jurkovskis (Toņiševs 46’), Veips, Černomordijs, Balodis, Cigaņiks, Varslavāns (Dašķevičs 66’), Vapne (Saveļjevs 73’), Zelenkovs, J.Ikaunieks (Grabovskis 88’), Gutkovskis (Regža 73’)