The Latvia WU-19 national team achieved a landmark result in Malta, defeating Israel 3:2 in the decisive match of the 2026 UEFA Women’s European Championship B League first qualifying round and securing promotion to the A League for the first time in this age category. The achievement follows the WU-17 national team’s historic promotion earlier in October, marking a breakthrough month for Latvian girls’ football.
Latvia entered the final match with a perfect record following dominant wins earlier in the week. The team opened the tournament with a 5:1 victory over hosts Malta, and on Friday claimed its second success by beating Kazakhstan 2:0, a match in which Paula Dzene and Anna Belova found the net. Dzene scored in the 15th minute with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area, while Belova doubled the lead in the 74th minute after sustained Latvian pressure. The game saw Latvia produce several promising attacking movements while goalkeeper Aleksandra Torgošova made key interventions at the other end. In added time, Uma Upīte received a red card, ruling her out of the decisive fixture against Israel.
Despite the suspension of Upīte and the inability of Dzene to feature due to injury, Latvia delivered a resilient, tactically disciplined performance in Monday’s decisive match. After an even opening period, Latvia took the lead shortly before halftime when Līva Šteinberga headed in from a Nikola Preijere corner. Early in the second half, Torgošova again had to be alert to preserve the advantage, but the match turned in the 63rd minute when Latvia was reduced to ten players following Ance Meijere’s dismissal. Israel equalised two minutes later.
Rather than collapsing under pressure, Latvia responded with remarkable composure. In the 72nd minute, Nikola Pinčuka restored the lead with a well-taken finish, and Laura Kallase extended it to 3:1 five minutes later. Israel pulled one back in stoppage time, but Latvia held firm to secure the group victory and with it the historic promotion.
The success also reflects a pattern of growth and consistency in this age group. Earlier this year, Latvia faced both Malta (1:1) and Kazakhstan (3:1) during the second qualifying round of the previous European Championship cycle, and Kazakhstan were also group opponents last year (0:0). In September, the WU-19 team finished second in the Baltic Cup for the second consecutive year.
Head coach Didzis Matīss has assembled a squad representing six Latvian clubs as well as two U.S.-based players. Three footballers – Alise Keita Baltrušaite, Uma Upīte, and Nikola Preijere – also made their senior national team debuts earlier this year, further highlighting the development pathway taking shape within Latvian women’s football.
B League teams compete for the opportunity to be promoted to the A League, where places at the European Championship final tournament are allocated. Promotion is awarded to group winners and the best runner-up. Next year’s UEFA WU-19 European Championship finals will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Latvia’s WU-19 and WU-17 teams will learn their A League opponents during the draw on 5 December.
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18680/ari-latvijas-wu-19-izlase-pirmoreiz-izcina-vietu-a-liga/
