Gutkovskis gives Latvia the lead, but end the campaign with a defeat against Serbia

Latvia’s national team concluded their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign today with a 1-2 loss to Serbia. Vladislavs Gutkovskis opened the scoring with his 13th international goal, but two second-half strikes – both coming shortly after Serbia’s impactful substitutions – turned the match around and handed Latvia a narrow defeat in their final match of the year.

Three days earlier, Latvia had played out a goalless draw in a friendly against North Macedonia, and the team travelled by bus from there to Serbia. In today’s match, played in Leskovac – home of Serbian second-division club GFK Dubočica – head coach Paolo Nicolato was forced to cope without several regular starters due to injuries and suspensions, resulting in an unusually reshuffled lineup.

Rihards Matrevics kept his place in goal after an impressive showing in the friendly, making his first competitive national team appearance since the 2024 Nations League. With Antonijs Černomordijs, Andrejs Cigaņiks and Daniels Balodis unavailable, the defence was anchored by the relatively inexperienced trio of Deniss Meļņiks, Roberts Veips and Maksims Toņiševs, supported by veterans Roberts Savaļnieks and Raivis Andris Jurkovskis. The rest of the lineup remained unchanged from the match against North Macedonia.

Both sides began cautiously, but the first major chance went to Latvia – and it was taken brilliantly. After winning the ball deep in Serbia’s half, Lūkass Vapne broke into open space and fired a powerful low ball across the penalty area, where Gutkovskis surged in from behind the defender and struck home his second goal of the qualifying cycle.

Serbia immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser, creating several dangerous opportunities, but Latvia’s defence held firm with key blocks and timely challenges. Late in the first half, Latvia nearly doubled their lead when Vapne was twice denied by outstanding saves from goalkeeper Predrag Rajković. Serbia responded with late pressure before halftime, forcing Matrevics into multiple interventions, but Latvia held on to take a 1-0 advantage into the break after an entertaining and fast-paced opening half.

The match turned quickly after the restart. Serbia’s new head coach, Veljko Paunović, made three halftime substitutions – changes that paid off instantly. Just four minutes into the second half, Andrija Živković dribbled past several defenders before slipping the ball to substitute Aleksandar Katai, who finished precisely into the far corner to level the score. They were the 34-year-old’s first goals for the national team.

Minutes later, Serbia completed the turnaround. Once again Živković was at the heart of the attack, this time delivering a cross into the box that found another halftime substitute, Aleksandar Stanković, who powered the ball into the net for a 2-1 lead.

Nicolato attempted to shift momentum with several attacking substitutions, bringing on Marko Regža, Ingars Pūlis, and Penkevics for his second international appearance, as well as centre-back Vitālijs Jagodinskis. Jagodinskis came closest to equalising when his header from a corner narrowly missed the target.

In the closing stages, Latvia pushed everyone forward and nearly paid the price defensively in the final minute of normal time. Jovan Milošević broke free one-on-one against Matrevics, but the Latvian goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep his team alive. Latvia earned one final opportunity with a long throw from Meļņiks, but an attacking foul in the box extinguished their last hope.

Serbia’s strong second half sealed Latvia’s 1-2 defeat away from home.

Latvia finish the qualifying campaign with five points from eight matches, placing fourth in their group behind England, Albania and Serbia, with Andorra the only team they managed to beat. Paolo Nicolato’s contract expires at the beginning of December, and unless extended, Latvia’s next matches – in March against Gibraltar – will be played under a new head coach as the team fights to retain their place in Nations League C.

Serbia vs Latvia – 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Katai 49′, Stankovic 60′ | Gutkovskis 12′