The Latvian women’s national football team secured a spot in the Baltic Cup final on Friday evening, edging past Estonia 1-0 in Kaunas to avenge last year’s defeat in the championship match. The decisive moment came in the 16th minute, when Karlīna Miksone confidently converted a penalty earned by Santa Sanija Vuškāne.
Latvia’s start was tense, with goalkeeper Elza Renāte Strazdiņa twice called into early action, but Miksone’s spot kick settled the side and allowed the visitors to seize control. Estonia remained dangerous on the counter, though they failed to create clear scoring chances, while Gabriela Annija Andersone came close at the other end.
In the second half, Latvia’s defense held firm under sustained pressure. Estonia grew stronger as time went on, forcing several anxious moments inside the box—none more so than in the 85th minute, when Strazdiņa produced a superb save to preserve the lead.
After the match, Estonian head coach Aleksandra Ševoldajeva said her side “probably deserved a bit more based on the way the game went.” She praised her substitutes, noting that “all of them came into the game very well – one even had a truly dangerous chance.”
Ševoldajeva admitted the early period was difficult: “Adapting to their pressing and finding solutions against it took some time. When they scored, their pressing became even bolder.” She added that Estonia managed to adjust: “We started bringing the game closer to their half and created good moments but couldn’t finish them off.”
The win not only sent Latvia into Monday’s final but also marked a measure of revenge for last year’s 0-1 loss to Estonia in the Baltic Cup final in Riga. It extended the team’s unbeaten record in 2025, following six positive results in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year – a run that secured promotion to League B and a chance to fight for a 2027 World Cup qualifying spot.
The Baltic Cup final will take place Monday evening at the Raudondvaris Stadium, home of FC Hegelmann, as neighbors Latvia and Lithuania meet to decide the 2025 Baltic champions.
Sources:
https://lff.lv/zinas/18597/sieviesu-izlase-ieklust-baltijas-kausa-finala/
https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/poolfinaali-kaotanud-sevoldajeva-oleksime-mangupilti-arvestades-vaarinud-natuke-rohkemat
