Latvia vs Azerbaijan

Latvia vs. Azerbaijan: Friendly Clash in Riga as Both Sides Chase Momentum

Latvia and Azerbaijan meet in a friendly at Riga’s Stadions Skonto on Saturday afternoon, with both teams eager to kickstart their summer with a confidence-boosting win.

Latvia’s Mixed Start to World Cup Qualifying
Nicknamed "The 11 Wolves," Latvia have made a decent start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, picking up three points from their first two games in Group K. They opened with a gritty 1-0 win over Andorra in March, thanks to a goal from Dario Sits, but reality hit hard in their next match—a 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley. Despite a tough night against the Euro 2024 runners-up, Latvia showed resilience, even if they only managed a single shot on target.

However, their broader form remains shaky. They’ve won just two of their last eight competitive matches, including a dismal Nations League campaign where they finished bottom of their group behind North Macedonia, Armenia, and the Faroe Islands.

New manager Paolo Nicolato, who took charge in March 2024 after working in Italy’s youth system, is still finding his feet. With just three wins in his first 12 games, he’ll be hoping this friendly can help build some much-needed momentum.

Azerbaijan’s Struggles Continue
Azerbaijan, meanwhile, haven’t even begun their World Cup qualifying journey yet—they’re in a group with France and won’t start until later. But their recent form is worrying. Their only March friendly ended in a 2-0 loss to Belarus, extending their winless run to seven games across friendlies and a disappointing Nations League campaign, where they finished last in their group without a single win.

Their last victory? A 3-2 thriller against Kazakhstan in June 2023. Since then, it’s been a rough ride under Fernando Santos, the experienced manager who led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and a Nations League title in 2019. But so far, his Azerbaijan tenure has been bleak—no wins in eight matches (D1 L7).

What to Expect
With both teams desperate for a morale boost, this friendly could be more competitive than expected. Latvia will lean on home advantage, while Azerbaijan will hope Santos’ pedigree finally starts paying off. A win here could be crucial for either side’s confidence before bigger challenges ahead.