Uefa European Under-21 Qualifiers: Republic of Ireland hopes suffer blow with 2-2 draw against Latvia

Republic of Ireland Under-21s’ hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Euro finals suffered a blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Tallaght Stadium by a Latvia team who had previously failed to pick up any points away from home during their campaign.

The Irish took the lead on 16 minutes when Rocco Vata pounced on a wayward Latvia pass and played the ball through to Sinclair Armstrong, whose initial shot was well saved by Janis Beks, but the ball fell to him kindly and he coolly passed into the net.

The hosts were well in control and Armstrong forced the visiting keeper into a fine save, while Vata scuffed a shot wide and then crashed a shot from distance off the inside of the post.

Three minutes before the interval Latvia levelled when Adolfs Maslovs ran down the right and crossed for Kaspars Anmanis to meet the ball first time and fire past Josh Keeley.

A blundered attempted catch by Keeley in the 63rd minute left Ivans Patrikejevs to score with a simple header but two minutes later Sean Roughan equalised with a drilled finish after an excellent ball from Andy Moran.

With only one automatic qualification spot up for grabs, Jim Crawford’s side trail group leaders Italy by four points with a match in hand, with Norway two points behind the Irish in the battle for second place.