The Latvian women’s national football team celebrated a 2-1 victory today in Skopje against North Macedonia’s women’s national team. Latvian Footballer of the Year, Karlīna Miksone, scored both goals for the Latvian team, scoring the game-winning goal in the 81st minute.
In their opening match of this campaign, Latvia achieved a surprising 1-0 victory against Kosovo’s women’s national team, while North Macedonia suffered a 0-4 defeat to Kosovo.
Historically, the Latvian national team has faced North Macedonia five times, with North Macedonia winning four of those encounters. Their last matchup, which took place in July, ended in the first Latvian victory 2-1.
Manager Liene Vāciete made three changes to the starting lineup compared to her debut match. Anna Hropataja, who made her debut in February, was selected for the starting eleven for the first time. Marina Teļukeviča also earned a spot in the starting lineup for the first time in her career, alongside Anastasija Poļuhoviča. Elza Renāte Strazdiņa retained her position as goalkeeper, while February debutant Gabriela Annija Andersone started in midfield.
The Latvian team took the lead in just the second minute of the match. After a long pass into the opponent’s penalty area, Karlīna Miksone was the most alert player, sending the ball into the net with a powerful left-footed shot.
North Macedonia equalized in the 31st minute when Ulza Maksuti scored with an impressive long-range shot 1-1.
Throughout the match, the North Macedonian team created slightly more shooting opportunities, with dangerous moments occurring at both ends of the field. Near the end of the second half, the Latvian team executed a crucial counterattack; Olga Ševcova passed to Miksone, who again found the net, this time with her right foot, making the score 2-1 in favor of Latvia with just nine minutes remaining in regular time.
In the additional time, North Macedonia had an excellent opportunity to equalize, but Latvian goalkeeper Elza Renāte Strazdiņa made a crucial save, securing the important victory for her team.
With this match, the Latvian team concluded the first round of the competition with two wins after their first two games. Lienes Vācietes’ managed team will play their second-round matches at home on May 30 against North Macedonia and on June 3 against Kosovo.
To conclude this international break, they will face the Estonian women’s national team in a friendly match on Tuesday at LNK Sporta Parks.
North Macedonia vs Latvia – 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Maksuti 31′ | Miksone 2′ 81′
Yellow Card: Kolarovska 14′, Andonova 65′
LAT: Strazdiņa – Voitāne (Sondore 46′), Ročāne, Hropataja (Suvitra 46′) – Poļuhoviča (Gornera 64′), Zaičikova (Čemirtane 64′), Andersone, Ševcova, Teļukeviča – Vuškāne (Senberga 82′), Miksone
Latvian WNT squad:
Goalkeepers
Sofja Ņesterova (23) – Werder Bremen (GER)
Elza Renāte Strazdiņa (18) – Riga FC Women
Aleksandra Torgošova (16) – FK Olaine
Defenders
Laura Sondore (25) – Riga FC Women
Anna Hropataja (19) – RFS Women
Anastasija Ročāne (32) – Asteras Tripolis (GRE)
Sandra Voitāne (25) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)
Amēlija Lipšāne (20) – FS Metta
Sofija Gergeležiu (21) – RFS Women
Midfielders
Anastasija Čermitāne (25) – RFS Women
Karlīna Miksone (25) – Czarni Sosnowiec (POL)
Fanija Mežecka (22) – FS Metta
Diāna Suvitra (23) – RFS Women
Marina Teļukeviča (19) – RFS Women
Anastasija Poļuhoviča (20) – AC Sparta Prague (CZE)
Paula Linda Liniņa (23) – FS Metta
Viktorija Zaičikova (24) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)
Anna Kristīne Gornela (27) – Riga FC Women
Gabriela Annija Andersone (16) – U.S. Sassuolo Calcio U19 (ITA)
Forwards
Santa Sanija Vuškāne (19) – GKS Katowice (POL)
Katrīna Daņilova (20) – Aris Limassol (CYP)
Signija Šenberga (22) – FS Metta
Olga Ševcova (32) – IBV Vestmannaeyja (ICE)
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18216/divi-neatvairami-miksones-varti-dava-latvijai-uzvaru-skopje/