Northern Ireland’s Under-21s deservedly defeated Latvia by a goal to nil in a U21 Euro 2027 qualifier in Belfast tonight.
A superb free-kick from attacking midfielder Sam Glenfield (pictured) on the hour mark was enough to secure all three points for Tommy Wright’s side.
The U21s had to battle hard in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage (Group F) match in a downpour at The Oval.
Both teams struggled to play a passing game on the extremely soggy surface.
The first chance came when Northern Ireland full back Jonny Russell fired a long throw into the penalty area towards fellow defender Tom Atcheson whose looping header was pushed away by Latvia keeper Nikita Parfjonovs.
Captain Darren Robinson then guided a header over the top from a Sean Brown corner.
Northern Ireland keeper Stephen McMullan made a good save from a point blank shot by Latvia centre forward Valerijs Lizunovs.
On 20 minutes Glenfield got on the end of a Latvia clearance and produced a crisp volley which flew inches past the post.
Minutes later Atcheson rose to meet a Glenfield corner, however the defender could only guide his header wide of the upright.
Down the other end a long throw from Milans Tihonovics was headed goalwards by Kevins Cesnieks. McMullan comfortably clutched the ball.
Just before the break Glenfield clipped the ball into the danger zone. Defender Tommy Fogarty got his head to it but his effort went wide.
The first attempt of the second half saw Northern Ireland striker Makenzie Kirk clip a shot past the far post, while Robinson just failed to connect properly with a Glenfield corner.
Northern Ireland took the lead in the 60th minute thanks to a fabulous goal from Glenfield. He stepped up to take a free-kick after Eoin Kenny had been upended just outside the area. And Glenfield’s precision curling strike flew into the top corner.
Russell had a shot blocked as Northern Ireland went in search of a second in the mud and torrential rain.
Minutes later the full back produced a fine delivery which was headed past the upright by Kirk.
Wright’s team kept plugging and battling away. Glenfield swept a shot wide before Kirk’s strike drifted off target. And a rising drive from Fogarty went over the top.
Latvia defender Maksims Semesko put a header over the bar as the visitors tried to get back on level terms.
There was a huge scramble in the Northern Ireland goalmouth towards the end, which included a point blank stop by McMullan, but the ball was cleared for a corner – and a few blocks by the home defence later the victory was secured.
The win moves Northern Ireland up to second place in Group F with seven points from four games. Group leaders Greece (three wins out of three) are due to play Georgia (five points from three) at home tomorrow, while Germany (six points from three) are at home to Malta.
Next up for the U21s is a qualifier against the Greeks at the Municipal Stadium in Livadia in central Greece on Tuesday (18 November) with a 2pm kick-off GMT.
Northern Ireland: Stephen McMullan, Tommy Fogarty, Jonny Russell, Sam Inwood, Tom Atcheson, Darren Robinson (captain), Sean Brown, Sam Glenfield, Makenzie Kirk, Eoin Kenny, Kieran Morrison.
Substitutes: (used) Harry Wilson, Conor Barr; (unused) Mason Munn, Fraser Barnsley, Josh Briggs, Liam McStravick, Jack Patterson, Aodhan Doherty, Bayley McCann.
Latvia: Nikita Parfjonovs, Milans Tihonovics, Glebs Mihalcovs, Maksims Semesko, Daniels Nosegbe-Susko, Kevins Cesnieks, Glebs Zaleiko, Ivans Patrikejevs (captain), Valerijs Lizunovs, Markuss Strods, Danny Anisjko.
Substitutes: (used) Kristians Mezsargs, Roberts Bocs, Eriks Boroduska; (unused) Nikita Pincuks (GK), Kristers Volkovs, Emils Evelons, Ralfs Sitjakovs, Glebs Kacanovs, Davis Vejkrigers.
Action from The Oval
