Latvia W vs Slovakia W

Latvia started the brighter side on home soil and were rewarded on the stroke of half-time. Miksone stepped up to convert a penalty — her right-footed strike sending the goalkeeper the wrong way — after a foul in the box. The home side went into the break 1-0 up, with the 611 supporters at the Daugava Stadium sensing a rare positive result.

Slovakia head coach Peter Kováč made an attacking change at half-time, introducing Lemešová for Kristína Košíková. The substitute made the decisive impact. In the 78th minute, Lemešová collected a pass from Martina Šurnovská and fired a left-footed shot past the Latvia goalkeeper to level the scores.

Just when the match seemed destined for a draw, Slovakia struck in stoppage time. Darina Hrúziková, herself a 79th-minute substitute, supplied a cross that Gondová met with a header to make it 2-1 in the 90th+2 minute. Latvia pushed for an equaliser in the remaining minutes but could not find a way through.

Four yellow cards were shown in a scrappy second half — two to each side — as the game became stretched.

Kováč's half-time substitution was the clear catalyst. Lemešová's introduction changed the attacking dynamic. Latvia had contained Slovakia comfortably in the first half, but the visitors created more consistent pressure after the break. The timing of the equaliser — 78th minute — forced Latvia to push forward, which left the space for Hrúziková's cross and Gondová's winner.

Diana Lemešová (Slovakia W) — Introduced at half-time, scored the equaliser and was involved in the attacking sequences that led to the winner. The player of the match.

Dominika Gondová (Slovakia W) — Scored the 90th+2-minute winner with a well-timed header, showing composure at a crucial moment.

Karlīna Miksone (Latvia W) — Converted the first-half penalty with confidence and was Latvia's most dangerous player in the final third.

Latvia held a 1-0 lead at half-time but Slovakia's second-half pressure told. The visitors managed two goals from 12 minutes of play after the 78th minute, suggesting they grew into the game significantly after the tactical change. The four yellow cards (two each) reflected a tense, physical contest in the second half as the stakes rose.

The result confirmed Latvia W finished bottom of Group B3 with zero points from six matches, having scored four goals and conceded 17. Slovakia W ended the group stage in third place with six points, above only Latvia in the group.

Portugal W (15 points) and Finland W (15 points) qualified directly from Group B3 for the World Cup play-offs. Slovakia finished seven points adrift of the top two.

This was the final group match for both sides. The next scheduled fixtures for each team will be determined by the UEFA play-off draw and the overall League B rankings.

A tale of two halves. Latvia competed well in the first 45 minutes and deserved their lead, but Slovakia's superior depth and the tactical switch at half-time proved decisive. The visitors showed the greater resilience and quality when it mattered, earning a result that their second-half performance merited, even if the margin was narrow.