Latvia’s national team had to settle for fourth place in the 2026 Baltic Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Faroe Islands at LNK Sporta Parks in Riga. The result marked Latvia’s first loss to the Faroese since 2016.
Following Saturday’s penalty shootout defeat to Lithuania, head coach Paolo Nicolato made three changes to his starting line-up. Roberts Veips, Marko Regža and goalscorer Maksims Toņiševs came into the side in place of Vitālijs Jagodinskis, Deniss Meļņiks and Dario Šits.
The opening half was a scrappy affair, dominated by duels and midfield battles, with neither side able to create clear-cut opportunities. The first real chance of the match arrived only in the 39th minute when a Latvian mistake allowed Jann Benjaminsen a clear sight of goal, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.
A few minutes later goalkeeper Frenks Dāvids Orols, making his second consecutive start for the national team, was called into action when Geza Turi struck from the edge of the penalty area, forcing the Riga FC goalkeeper into a comfortable save.
Latvia struggled to create anything meaningful before the break. Despite winning several set-pieces, Nicolato’s side failed to trouble the Faroese defence and went into half-time without a shot on target.
The Latvian coach had already been forced into a first-half change when Roberts Veips was replaced by Daniels Balodis for reasons that were not immediately clear. Nicolato then made two further substitutions at the interval, introducing Mārtiņš Ķigurs and Dario Šits in place of Maksims Toņiševs and Marko Regža.
The Faroe Islands started the second half brightly and almost took the lead when Jakub Andreasen ghosted in at the far post to meet a low cross, but the midfielder could not keep his effort on target while stretching for the ball.
Latvia gradually grew into the game and finally registered their first shot on target in the 58th minute. Lūkass Vapne attempted to score his first international goal, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
As the half progressed, Latvia began to enjoy their best spell of the match. Kristaps Grabovskis came close from a set-piece when he flicked a header narrowly over the crossbar, while several promising attacks suggested the breakthrough might come for the hosts.
Instead, it was the visitors who struck. In the 81st minute a defensive breakdown allowed a pass to find Hanus Sørensen. The Faroese defender advanced into space and made no mistake, beating Orols to give his side the lead.
For the second consecutive match Latvia found themselves chasing an equaliser. Grabovskis produced a clever run into a dangerous area but could not pick out a teammate with the final pass, while Vapne tried his luck twice from distance without finding the target.
As the clock ticked down, the Faroe Islands expertly managed the remaining minutes, frustrating the hosts and limiting their opportunities. Despite five minutes of added time, Latvia could not find a way back into the match.
The defeat leaves Latvia in fourth place at the 2026 Baltic Cup. Nicolato’s side will now turn their attention to September’s UEFA Nations League C campaign, hoping to welcome back several injured players ahead of a crucial autumn schedule.
Latvia vs Faroe Islands – 0-1 (0-0)
Goal: Sørensen 81′
