Tarakanovs gives early hope, but ultimately Latvia are eliminated from the Euro

Latvian National team today ended their UEFA Euro Futsal 2026 tournament as they suffered a defeat in front of a home crowd against Croatia 1-4. Latvia’s only goal was scored by their leader Edgars Tarakanovs who scored early in the first half to give the hosts the lead. Croatia now moves on to the quarterfinal where they will face Armenia.

After Sunday’s defeat to France, Latvia head coach Massimiliano Bellarte made one change to his starting lineup for the most important match in the country’s futsal history, bringing Viktors Kuļepovs into the starting five in place of Miks Babris. With everything on the line, Latvia’s decisive group-stage clash against Croatia got underway in a charged atmosphere at Arēna Rīga.

From the opening minutes, Croatia looked to impose themselves on the game, controlling possession patiently and probing for openings in Latvia’s defensive structure. The first real warning came in the fourth minute, when Luka Perić fired a dangerous effort narrowly wide of the target.

Just a minute later, Latvia struck with their very first attack. Following a corner delivered by Andrejs Baklanovs, Renards Ūdris produced an intelligent block at the near post to free space for Edgars Tarakanovs, who finished brilliantly with a half-volley. A moment of perfect execution gave Latvia a dream start and sent the home crowd into raptures.

Tarakanovs nearly doubled the lead soon after. Pressing high in the Croatian half, he won possession, took a couple of touches and fired just wide. A few minutes later, he again dispossessed a Croatian player, this time drawing a foul that resulted in a yellow card, underlining Latvia’s aggressive and confident approach.

Latvia remained organised defensively but were not without moments of danger at the other end. One of Croatia’s best chances of the half came when Antonio Sekulić spun Baklanovs and struck a half-turn effort that rattled the outside of the post, a let-off for the hosts.

Midway through the first half, Croatia began to dominate possession once more, steadily increasing the pressure. Latvian goalkeeper Rainers Mūrnieks was called into action repeatedly, producing several important saves, while defenders threw themselves in front of shots that failed to reach the goal.

As the half wore on, Latvia found themselves increasingly pushed back. Both teams used their video reviews late in the half, but neither appeal was successful – Croatia unsuccessfully claimed a penalty, while Latvia sought a red card in a separate incident.

Then, in the final minute of the half, Croatia found their breakthrough. Reacting quickly to a foul, they restarted play at pace, and Josip Jurlina struck decisively from a tight angle, beating Mūrnieks to make it 1-1 and silencing the crowd inside Arēna Rīga.

By the interval, Croatia had arguably been the stronger side, and but for Mūrnieks’ heroics between the posts, Latvia might have found themselves trailing. With the score level at halftime, Latvia were still on course to advance from the group and secure a place in Saturday’s quarterfinals  – but the tension was palpable as the decisive second half awaited.

With Croatia registering 26 shot attempts in the first half compared to Latvia’s three, the hosts entered the second period knowing they had to limit the visitors’ pressure. However, Croatia showed no signs of slowing down. Picking up exactly where they left off before the break, they continued to dominate possession and fire efforts toward goal.

Latvia looked to respond through counter-attacks, with Edgars Tarakanovs again at the heart of their best moments. One such break saw him carry the ball forward and create space for a shot, though it was comfortably saved by the Croatian goalkeeper.

Croatia eventually found the breakthrough they had been pushing for. After another misplaced pass from Latvian goalkeeper Rainers Mūrnieks, who had struggled with distribution throughout the tournament, Croatian goalkeeper Ante Piplica launched a long throw across the court. The ball was expertly controlled on the chest by Luka Perić, who turned and struck powerfully into the net to give Croatia a 2-1 lead. Latvia now faced a must-score situation to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Moments later, Mūrnieks required medical treatment following a collision and was briefly replaced by veteran goalkeeper Igors Labuts, who made his European Championship debut during a short 15-second spell. Mūrnieks was able to recover and returned to the goal shortly afterward.

After an intense opening stretch of the second half, the tempo dropped slightly, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. However, with ten minutes remaining, Latvia were punished for a defensive lapse that led to a one-on-one opportunity, which Brazilian-born Croatian Lima converted to extend the lead to 3-1.

With just under eight minutes to play, Latvia head coach Massimiliano Bellarte took a risk by introducing the flying goalkeeper. Shortly afterward, Tarakanovs once again drew a foul, handing Croatia their fifth team foul and giving Latvia hope of building pressure.

Despite controlling possession, Latvia were unable to create a clear opening. Then came the decisive moment. Tarakanovs lost possession near halfway, allowing David Mataja to roll the ball into an unguarded net, effectively sealing the outcome at 4-1.

Latvia applied heavy pressure in the closing moments, but the deficit proved too large. The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 defeat, bringing Latvia’s European Championship campaign to an end.

While Croatia were the stronger side on the night, Latvia competed bravely throughout the tournament. Although they fell just short of their goal to reach the knockout stage, it was a highly respectable debut at the European Championship. Latvia leave the competition with pride – and with the clear sense that this will not be the last time their futsal team makes an impact on the continental stage.

Latvia v Croatia – 1:4 (1:1)
Goals: Tarakanovs 5’ | Jurlina 20’, Peric 25′, Lima 31′, Mataja 36′

Latvia starting lineup: Mūrnieks (G), Kuļepovs, Matjušenko (C), Mickevičs, Tarakanovs
Latvia bench: Labuts (G), Babris, Baklanovs, Grīslis, Jelagovs, Kuļešovs, Motils, Rimkus, Ūdris

Croatia starting lineup: Piplica (G), Hugo, Jelovčic (C), Mataja, Vukmir
Croatia bench: Cizmic (G), Cekol, Gudasic, Hrstic, Jurlina, Kuraja, Kustura, Peric, Sekulic