Latvia missed a penalty as Liechtenstein claimed their first point in World Cup qualifying Group G with a 1-1 draw.
Liechtenstein claim first Group G point in draw with Latvia
Latvia missed a penalty as Liechtenstein claimed their first point in World Cup qualifying Group G with a 1-1 draw.
Michele Polverino's opener briefly had Liechtenstein on track for a first World Cup win since 2005 but Aleksandrs Cauna's free-kick dragged Latvia back into the tie.
The same player saw his second-half penalty saved, however, and Latvia stay fifth in the group, while Liechtenstein remain bottom.
Liechtenstein made the breakthrough after 17 minutes as Polverino notched from David Hasler's slide-rule pass.
But Latvia levelled shortly before the half-hour mark, Cauna fizzing the ball home from 25 yards.
Liechtenstein did threaten a second before the break but Andris Vanins punched Hasler's effort to safety.
And when Polverino handled the ball in the box in the 61st minute, Cauna saw his spot-kick tipped round a post by Peter Jehle.
That spurred Liechtenstein on but, despite solid efforts from Oskars Klava, Thomas Beck and Ivan Quintans, Latvia held out for a point.
