Latvia can’t convert their chances and suffer their first defeat of the tournament

The Latvia national futsal team were made to pay for missed first-half opportunities as they fell 0-5 to group favourites France national futsal team in their second group-stage match of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026.

Latvia head coach Massimiliano Bellarte named an unchanged starting lineup from the emphatic opening win over Georgia, with Rainers Mūrnieks in goal and outfield players Andžejs Mickēvičs, Miks Babris, Edgars Tarakanovs and Germans Matjušenko. France coach Raphaël Reynaud also kept faith with the same five that had drawn against Croatia.

Latvia showed from the outset that they had no intention of sitting back. In just the second minute, Tarakanovs tested the French defence with the hosts’ first shot. Three minutes later, Latvia were caught on the counter, but Mūrnieks produced a sensational double save to preserve the deadlock.

The hosts continued to function well as a unit, though in the seventh minute France found space in a dangerous area. Tarakanovs was forced to bring down his opponent and received Latvia’s first yellow card of the tournament.

Moments later, Latvia nearly struck on the break following a French free kick. Tarakanovs raced through one-on-one, only for Francis Lokoka to deny him. The rebound fell to Viktors Kuļepovs, who could not keep his effort on target – Latvia’s best chance so far.

France responded in the ninth minute when captain Souheil Mouhoudine fired narrowly wide. Latvia answered through Andrejs Baklanovs, whose long-range strike flew just past the post, drawing a collective gasp inside Arēna Rīga.

In the 13th minute, France came agonisingly close when Benslama rounded Mūrnieks but failed to convert into an empty net. With 6 minutes and 23 seconds remaining before the break, Latvia committed their fifth team foul, though a French attempt to draw a penalty instead resulted in a yellow card for simulation.

The closing stages of the half belonged to Latvia. Babris forced another strong save from Lokoka before Baklanovs saw his rebound effort spectacularly stopped once again. Two minutes before halftime, Baklanovs’ diagonal pass picked out Renards Ūdris, whose spinning shot was brilliantly saved by Lokoka. At the break, the score remained 0-0, with Latvia arguably deserving a lead on chances created.

The second half opened at a high tempo, but it was France who struck first. After 63 minutes and four seconds of resistance, Arthur Tchato squared the ball across goal for Mouhoudine, who tapped in at the far post to finally beat Mūrnieks.

France nearly doubled their lead moments later when Mamadou Touré struck the post following a low cross from Menendez.

Forced to chase the game, Latvia turned to the five-outfield-player system, but the risk proved costly. France struck three times in the space of six minutes, with goals from Belhaj, Mouhoudine and Mohammed to put the result beyond doubt.

Bellarte’s side searched for a consolation goal, but the clear-cut chances of the first half never returned and even allowed one more in the last seconds. Latvia suffered their first defeat of the championship, leaving everything to play for on Wednesday, when they return to Arēna Rīga to face Croatia national futsal team, knowing that at least a point will be required to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Latvia vs France – 0:5 (0:0)
Goals: Mouhoudine 24′ 32′, Belhaj 30′, Mohammed 36′ Toure 60′

Latvia starting lineup: Mūrnieks (G), Mickēvičs, Babris, Tarakanovs, Matjušenko (C)
Latvia bench: Labuts (G), Baklanovs, Grīslis, Jelagovs, Kuļepovs, Kuļešovs, Motils, Rimkus, Ūdris

France starting lineup: Lokoka (G), Belhaj, Guirio, Mohammed, Mouhoudine (C)
France bench: Durot (G), Marquet (G), Benslama, Gueddoura, Menendez, Rezzoug, Tchaptchet, M. Toure, Ma.Toure