Latvia come from behind to beat Liechtenstein

by Sapa - AP

Latvia bounced back from an early own-goal to cruise past Liechtenstein 4-1 in a European Championship qualifier on Saturday.

The win puts Latvia in fifth place in Group F, while Liechtenstein remain in last place with seven. Neither team can qualify for next year's tournament.

Liechtenstein went ahead in the 13th minute, when Franz Burgmeier's cross to the far post was knocked in by Latvian defender Dzintars Zirnis. But Latvia answered less than a minute later when Girts Karlsons broke away and beat Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle with a hard shot between the legs.

Maris Verpakovskis put the hosts ahead in the 30th after Liechtenstein defender Martin Stocklasa's clearing attempt trickled straight to Jurijs Laizans, who passed the ball to an open Verposkovskis on the left side.

Laizans made it 3-1 in the 63rd, beating two defenders and scoring with a shot that went in via the far post, and substitute Aleksejs Visnakovs put the game away in the 88th by tapping in a cross from Marians Pahars.

It was Liechtenstein's last qualifier, while Latvia travel to Sweden in the last round on Wednesday.