Latvia produced a significantly improved performance in their second consecutive home match of the UEFA Nations League campaign, but Paolo Nicolato’s side ultimately suffered their second defeat of the competition, losing 1-2 to Montenegro. Markuss Strods gave Latvia late hope with his first senior international goal, but the visitors held on to maintain their perfect start.
Nicolato made two changes to the starting XI, handing first international starts to Danila Patijčuks and Oskars Vientiess, both of whom had made their senior debuts earlier in the international window.
Montenegro made the perfect start and took the lead after only three minutes. A pass down the left caught out Roberts Savaļnieks, while Latvia’s three central defenders were pulled out of position. Risto Radunovic found Vasilije Adžic inside the penalty area, and the youngster finished past Rihards Matrevics to make it 1-0.
Latvia responded quickly, with Denniss Cirkins testing the goalkeeper from the edge of the box with his weaker right foot in the fifth minute. Compared to their opening two Nations League matches, Latvia looked far more comfortable in possession and enjoyed a promising spell with the ball, although several crosses into the Montenegro penalty area failed to produce a clear opportunity.
Nicolato was forced into an early change in the 28th minute when Savaļnieks suffered discomfort in his left leg and was replaced by Raivis Andris Jurkovskis. Montenegro began to regain control following the substitution, with Matrevics called into action on several occasions as Marko Vešovic and Stevan Jovetic threatened to double the visitors’ advantage.
Latvia’s best opportunity of the first half came when Andrejs Cigaņiks delivered into the area for Roberts Uldriķis, whose header struck the post. There was also further bad news before the break as captain Antonijs Černomordijs received his second yellow card of the Nations League campaign, meaning he will miss Latvia’s final match of the October window against Cyprus.
Latvia again started brightly after the interval, and Uldriķis was denied by the woodwork for a second time in the 53rd minute. Just three minutes later, however, Montenegro punished Latvia at the other end. Adžic beat Matrevics to score his second goal of the evening and give the visitors a 2-0 advantage.
Montenegro then had opportunities to put the match beyond doubt. Jovetic struck the post after Latvia’s defensive line was opened by a pass between the lines, before substitute Viktor Dukanovic found himself one-on-one with Matrevics. Cigaņiks recovered impressively to put the forward under pressure, and his effort went wide.
Latvia lost some of their earlier momentum following the second goal, with Montenegro finding increasing amounts of space. In the 78th minute, Nicolato introduced another debutant as Kristers Čudars came on for his first senior international appearance.
Four minutes later, Latvia were back in the contest. A loose ball around the edge of the penalty area eventually fell to substitute Strods, who found the net to score his first goal for the national team and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal completely changed the closing stages as Latvia pushed Montenegro back and searched for an equaliser. Cirkins had one of the final opportunities during four minutes of stoppage time, but his effort from outside the penalty area went wide.
Latvia were unable to find the second goal their late pressure threatened, suffering a 1-2 defeat despite a much-improved display compared to their opening two matches. Montenegro, meanwhile, maintained their perfect Nations League record with a third victory from three games.
Latvia will conclude the international window on Monday when they travel to face Cyprus.
