Already in the fifth minute, Pavel Šteinbor’s vigilance was tested by Harijs Vilsons with a shot from close range, but the goalkeeper of the Latvian national team played safely. In the second ten minutes of the match, Latvians earned a corner kick at the opponent’s goal, after March Osh’s kick, goalkeeper Danny Ward saved the Welsh.
In the 28th minute of the match, after a lightning pass by Artūrs Zjuzins, Vladislavs Gutkovskis made a difficult kick with his heel in the penalty area, but this time too he failed to beat Ward. A little later, after a strong shot by Kiefer Moore, the ball flew past the goal post, and Neko Williams shot over the goal. In the 34th minute, after a corner kick, Kristers Tober headed the ball past the goal.
At the end of the half, in the 41st minute of the game, after several attacks by the guests, Daniel James made a high pass in the penalty area and Moore hit the ball with his head – 1:0 for the Welsh national team. In the last seconds of the compensation time, after an unexpected shot, Šteinbor prevented the home team from reaching 2:0.
In the 49th minute, after Williams’ kick, the Latvians were first saved from a lost goal by Šteinbors, and in the continuation of the episode – also by the goal post. In the 58th minute, after an individually masterful game, Gutkovskis made a dangerous shot from close range, and a few minutes later the Czestochowa “Rakow” striker had another good chance.
Although the Welsh controlled the ball twice as much, the Latvian footballers showed fierce resistance. In one of the episodes, in the last ten minutes of regular time, after Raimonds Krollis disarmed the opponent, his former clubmate Renārs Varslavāns made a long shot over the goal.
Latvian football players tried to create attacks until the last seconds of the game, but they could not break the tie.
Wales begin the season without Gareth Bale, who watched the match in person on Tuesday and gave a pre-match speech.
While preparing for the match with Wales, Latvia lost 2:3 to Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Wales already played the first qualifying match on Saturday, playing 1:1 away with Croatia. Nathan Broadhead scored for the Welsh in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
In addition to players from Latvia, Croatia and Wales, Turkey and Armenia are also playing in Group D of the 2024 European Championship qualification tournament, which was celebrated by the Turks with a 2:1 victory in their mutual match.
Wales is in 28th place in the FIFA ranking, while Latvia is in 133rd position.
In the 2004 friendly match, Wales won 2:0.
The Latvian national team will play its next matches in the qualification tournament in mid-June, when it will meet Turkey and Armenia.
Latvian national team: Pavel Šteinbor, Antonijs Chernomordys, Marcis Oš, Vladislavs Sorokins (Raivis Andris Jurkovskis, 46th min.), Roberts Savalnieks, Artūrs Zyuzins (Aleksejs Saveljevs, 82nd min.), Kristers Tobers, Andrejs Ciganiks (Renārs Varslavāns, 69th min. ), Jānis Ikaunieks (Alvis Jaunzems, 58th min.), Vladislavs Gutkovskis, Roberts Uldriķis (Raimonds Krollis, 82nd min.).
Wales squad: Danny Ward, Chris Mepham, Joe Rawdon, Connor Roberts, Neko Williams, Ethan Ampadu, Aaron Ramsey (Oliver Cooper, 90+2 min.), Joe Morrell, Harry Wilson (Benjamin Kabango, 90+4 min.), Daniel James (Nathan Broadhead, 73 min.), Kiefer Moore.