Latvia produced a stunning comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against Turkey in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday.
Goals from Olcay Sahan and Selcuk Inan put the hosts into a commanding 2-0 half-time lead, though Edgars Gauracs pulled one back shortly after the break.
And, despite Veysal Sari’s goal appearing to have put the game beyond doubt, a double from Valerijs Sabala earned the away side a draw.
The result was particularly pleasing for a Latvia side that had won just one game in their last eight appearances – a 2-0 victory against Liechenstein in October.
Things had looked somewhat brighter for Turkey in the eighth minute, when Sahan ghosted into the box unmarked to head home from eight yards.
And the hosts doubled their advantage in just the 23rd minute, as Inan placed a penalty hard and low down to the goalkeeper’s right.
Mustafa Pektemek later showed neat footwork in the area, but his effort was blocked and went harmlessly for a corner as the game headed into half-time at 2-0.
Despite their disadvantage, the visitors looked infinitely more threatening in the opening stages of the second period, and halved their deficit in the 52nd minute.
Gauracs was slipped in on the right-hand side of the box before finishing with a sweet strike across the goalkeeper into the left-hand corner.
Turkey soon re-established their two-goal advantage, however, Sari’s 25-yard effort deflecting beyond the stranded goalkeeper.
But there were yet more twists to come in a topsy turvy match.
After some fine build-up from Latvia, the ball was laid back from the 18-yard line to Valerijs Sabala, who finished well into the bottom right-hand corner.
And, after substitute Kerim Frei wastefully blasted over from close range, the hosts were made to pay in the 84th minute, as Sabala headed home from a free-kick cross from 12-yards.
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