Northern Ireland’s Under-21s deservedly defeated Latvia in a U21 Euro 2027 qualifier in Riga this afternoon.
Goals from Makenzie Kirk, Eoin Kenny (pictured) and Devlan Moses saw Tommy Wright’s side ease to a 3-1 win in the 2025-27 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying group stage (Group F) match at Daugava Stadium in the Latvian capital.
Wright made two changes to the 11 that started last week’s Group F encounter away to Germany, which ended in a 3-0 defeat.
In came attacking midfielders Aodhan Doherty and Sean Brown, while defender Conor Barr and midfielder Ryan Donnelly dropped to the bench.
Northern Ireland, who defeated Latvia 1-0 in Belfast back in November, had the first chance of the game early on. Jonny Russell whipped a cross into the danger zone which was met by Josh Briggs and his flicked header went over the bar.
Then Latvia defender Milans Tihonovics produced a shot which was comfortably gathered in by Northern Ireland keeper Fraser Barnsley, who had earlier raced off his line to head a long ball clear.
On 14 minutes Latvia took the lead. Midfielder Kristians Mezsargs got in behind the visitors’ defence where he latched on to a pass from defender Daniels Nosegbe-Suskio and ran through to slot the ball past Barnsley from 12 yards.
Northern Ireland players were on the receiving end of some robust challenges as they tried to take the game to their opponents.
The visitors equalised on 30 minutes. Captain Michael Forbes’ deflected cross into the area reached Eoin Kenny. He spun superbly away from his marker before firing in a shot which was pushed away by Latvia keeper Nikita Parfjonovs, however Makenzie Kirk was on hand to slam home the rebound.
Moments later Kirk just failed to connect with a lovely cross from the lively Aodhan Doherty.
Northern Ireland continued to press, although the Latvian defence managed to keep them at bay.
At the start of the second half the visitors continued to enjoy the bulk of the possession but the game became a bit scrappy.
On 58 minutes Doherty cut inside and let fly. His crisp shot went over the top.
Ten minutes later Northern Ireland grabbed the lead. Kirk was upended as he attacked down the left flank. Kenny picked up the loose ball and jinked past his marker before racing into the area. He made his way to the edge of the six-yard box where he superbly tucked the ball into the far corner from an angle. It was a quality finish.
A piledriver from Latvia striker Valerijs Lizunovs was blocked by Darren Robinson as Latvia tried to recover.
On 83 minutes Northern Ireland were reduced to 10 men when Robinson received his marching orders for a late tackle.
Latvia defender Nosegbe-Suskio scooped a shot over the top as the hosts went in search of an equaliser.
Substitute Cole Brannigan produced a couple of great runs as Northern Ireland held on to the ball.
At the start of added time Latvia exerted pressure through a series of corners. Russell had to make a last ditch clearance and Matthew Orr saw the ball out before Barnsley punched clear.
Five minutes into added time Northern Ireland put the icing on the cake. Brannigan ran from deep and slipped the ball to fellow sub Devlan Moses who lofted it over the advancing keeper from 16 yards. It was another tidy finish.
The U21s, who are third in the six-team group behind Greece and Germany, will not be in competitive action again until 26 September when they are away to Malta in a Group F qualifier.
Latvia: Nikita Parfjonovs, Milans Tihonovics, Martins Lormanis, Nosegbe-Susko, Maksims Semesko, Ralfs Kragliks, Glebs Zaleiko, Ivans Patrikejevs (captain), Valerijs Lizunovs, Kristians Mezsargs, Markuss Strods.
Substitutes: (used) Kevins Cesnieks, Emils Evelons; (unused) Raivo Sturins (GK), Alans Kangars, Markuss Ivulans, Tomass Mickevics, Glebs Kacanovs, Rodrigo Gaucis, Ruslans Deruzinskis.
Northern Ireland: Fraser Barnsley, Jonny Russell, Shea Kearney, Joshua Briggs, Michael Forbes (captain), Matthew Orr, Aodhan Doherty, Darren Robinson, Makenzie Kirk, Eoin Kenny, Sean Brown.
Substitutes: (used) Devlan Moses, Cole Brannigan, Conor Barr, Ryan Donnelly; (unused) Francis Hurl (GK), Callum Burnside, Bayley McCann, Sam Inwood, Jack Patterson.
