Latvia ended their UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round campaign with a 2-1 victory over Belgium after two late goals in Czechia on Tuesday.
Viktors Dobrecovs made five changes to his starting side for the final Group 4 match, while Lenards Bērziņš, Rūdolfs Kļavinskis, Roberts Kukulis, Krišjānis Rupeiks, Helvijs Joksts and Gustavs Leitāns all started for a third time in the tournament. The game offered little in the first half, with few openings and a physical contest dominating proceedings.
Latvia began to threaten after the break. Gundars Smilškalns had an effort blocked early in the second half and Leitāns went close from a corner soon after. At the other end, goalkeeper Krists Pļaviņš dealt with a Belgium attempt from a narrow angle in the 75th minute.
The match turned four minutes later when Belgium were reduced to 10 men after Samuel Nibombe was sent off for a serious foul. Latvia took advantage in the closing stages. Kļavinskis opened the scoring in the 84th minute after a scramble for the ball and a favourable deflection, before Kukulis won possession near halfway, drove through the muddy surface into the penalty area and finished two minutes later.
Belgium pulled one back in the final minute through Brentford player Kai Furo, but Latvia held on for their first win of the elite round. The result was not enough to lift them off the bottom of the group, with Denmark finishing top on seven points, ahead of Belgium on four, Czechia on three and Latvia on three with an inferior goal difference.
Latvia had lost 3-0 to Czechia and 3-0 to Denmark in their first two matches. They reached the elite round for a fourth qualifying cycle in succession after advancing from the opening round in November, where they beat Lithuania 2-1, drew 2-2 with Scotland and lost 7-0 to England.
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Source: https://sportacentrs.com/futbols/latvijas_izlase/31032026-latvijas_u19_futbolisti_elites_posmu_pabe
