Latvia's futsal team draws with world No. 9 Ukraine
Latvia's national futsal (indoor football) team drew with Ukraine and, for the first time in seven meetings, avoided defeat against them. The team begins 2028 World Cup qualifying in four days.
Latvia's national futsal (indoor football) team drew with Ukraine, avoiding defeat against them for the first time in seven meetings between the sides. Ukraine is ninth in the world rankings and won bronze medals at the 2024 World Cup finals, while Latvia is ranked 42nd.
How the match went
The visitors took the lead after five minutes, deflecting the ball in front of the goal guarded by Raineris Mūrnieks. Around the middle of the first half Latvia levelled: after a quick move down the flank, Edgars Tarakanova shot from a tight angle, and thanks to Renards Ūdris's efforts the ball ended up in the net.
In a tense contest Latvia withstood Ukrainian pressure. Goalkeeper Igors Labuts saved a penalty from six metres. Seven minutes before full time Latvia went ahead when Miks Babris sent the ball into the net from the air after a well-executed corner. Two minutes before the end, however, the score was levelled again.
What comes next
On 20 October Latvia travel to face the Czech Republic in their first match of the main round of qualifying for the 2028 World Cup.
Head coach Massimiliano Bellarte has named players from two Latvian clubs, as well as from teams in Poland, Greece, Belgium, Italy and the Czech Republic. Tonijs Moldovāns and Niks Edžus Bērziņš received their first call-ups.
