Women's World Cup qualifiers: NI struggle past lowly Latvia in final match

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Last updated on Less than a minute ago.From the section Women's Football

Northern Ireland equalise through Enija-Anna Vaivode 's own goal

Northern Ireland scored two late goals to beat minnows Latvia 3-1 in a low-key end to their World Cup qualification campaign in Jurmala.

The Latvians, ranked 122nd in the world, took the lead against the run of play when Anastasija Rocane's powered a header home to capitalise on Demi Vance's mistimed jump on 27 minutes.

Vance redeemed herself with a crucial role in Northern Ireland's equaliser 10 minutes later when her dangerous corner was spilled into her own net by home goalkeeper Enija-Anna Vaivode.

Marissa Callaghan struck the crossbar as Kenny Shiels' side pressed for a winner, which came when Arta Luize Lubina touched the ball into her own net with two minutes to play before Caragh Hamilton clinched the win with a late goal.

Northern Ireland could not progress to the World Cup finals and were locked into a third place finish behind Euro 2022 winners England and Austria, however the win secured a record points tally of 19 in World Cup qualifying.

The match was Northern Ireland's final competitive outing for 12 months until the start of Euro 2025 qualifying and Shiels' side will have to count on friendlies to keep momentum up from a maiden appearance at a major tournament at Euro 2022 this summer.

More to follow.

Line-ups

Latvia

Formation 3-5-2

23Vaivode
13Voitane
6Lubina
10Rocane
9Poluhovica
16Gornela
20SmirnovaSubstituted forZaicikovaat 54'minutes
19MiksoneBooked at 79mins
5Treimane
18DanilovaSubstituted forFedotovaat 54'minutes
14Sevcova

Substitutes

1Nesterova
2Garanca
3Lodzina
4Vitmore
7Zacmane
8Zaicikova
11Fedotova
12Sklemenova
15Freidenfelde
17Senberga
21Druvina

Northern Ireland

Formation 4-1-4-1

1Burns
2McKenna
4Robson
18MasonSubstituted forMcGuinnessat 69'minutes
3Vance
17FinneganSubstituted forMageeat 68'minutes
6Hamilton
16CaldwellBooked at 26mins
8CallaghanSubstituted forHollowayat 69'minutes
19WilsonSubstituted forMcCarronat 69'minutes
9McGuinnessSubstituted forBeattieat 82'minutes

Substitutes

5Nelson
7McCarron
10McDaniel
11McGuinness
12Turner
13McKimm
14Wade
15Holloway
20Andrews
21Beattie
22Magee
23Woods

Live Text

Match ends, Latvia Women 1, Northern Ireland Women 3.
Second Half ends, Latvia Women 1, Northern Ireland Women 3.
Own Goal by Enija Vaivode, Latvia Women. Latvia Women 1, Northern Ireland Women 3.
Caragh Hamilton (Northern Ireland Women) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Kirsty McGuinness.
Attempt saved. Karlina Miksone (Latvia Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Viktorija Zaicikova (Latvia Women) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Olga Sevcova with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Kirsty McGuinness (Northern Ireland Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner, Northern Ireland Women. Conceded by Sandra Voitane.
Own Goal by Arta Lubina, Latvia Women. Latvia Women 1, Northern Ireland Women 2.
Corner, Northern Ireland Women. Conceded by Anastasija Rocane.
Demi Vance (Northern Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Olga Sevcova (Latvia Women).
Substitution, Northern Ireland Women. Kerry Beattie replaces Caitlin McGuinness.
Karlina Miksone (Latvia Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Nadene Caldwell (Northern Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Karlina Miksone (Latvia Women).
Foul by Kirsty McGuinness (Northern Ireland Women).
Karlina Miksone (Latvia Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Rebecca Holloway (Northern Ireland Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Demi Vance with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Northern Ireland Women. Conceded by Karlina Miksone.