Latvia Under-21s suffered a 1-3 home defeat by Northern Ireland on Tuesday in their 2027 European Championship qualifying group match at Daugava Stadium in Riga.
Jakub Dovalil side made a strong start and went in front after 14 minutes. Ralfs Kragliks played a long pass forward and Kristiāns Mežsargs controlled it well before running through on goal and scoring his first goal for the U21 national team.
Northern Ireland drew level midway through the first half after Latvia failed to clear their penalty area, allowing the visitors to react first after Ņikita Parfjonovs had made the initial save. The away side then took control for long spells, although Latvia threatened again shortly before the interval.
Clear chances were limited after the break until Northern Ireland turned the match around in the 68th minute with a solo run and a finish into the far corner. Latvia responded and Daniels Nosegbe-Suško saw an effort blocked in front of goal, before Valerijs Lizunovs went even closer moments later.
Latvia were handed a numerical advantage in the 83rd minute when Northern Ireland player was sent off for a foul on Latvian captain Ivans Patrikejevs. Nosegbe-Suško was unable to take the chance from the resulting free-kick, and despite late pressure and a series of corners in stoppage time, the hosts could not find an equaliser. Northern Ireland then sealed the result with a goal on the counter-attack at the end of added time.
It was the second match of the March window for both teams. Latvia had drawn 1-1 away to Georgia on Friday after taking the lead, while Northern Ireland lost 0-3 in Germany. The sides had also met in Belfast in November, when Northern Ireland won 1-0.
After seven matches, Northern Ireland are third in the group with 10 points, while Latvia are fifth with five. Latvia complete their campaign at the turn of September and October with matches at home to Germany, away to Greece and at home to Malta.
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Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18888/u-21-izlase-atkal-iegust-vadibu-tomer-piekapjas-ziemeliriem/
