Substitute Aleksa Maras scored in the 91st minute as ten-man Montenegro beat Latvia 2-1 in Podgorica on Thursday, 12 November 2026, to seal top spot in their UEFA Nations League group. Nikola Krstovic had given the hosts the lead in the 70th minute, Deniss Melniks equalised for Latvia two minutes later, and Maras struck the winner in stoppage time.

The win, in Matchday 5 of League C Group 2, leaves Montenegro on 13 points from five games, already assured of first place ahead of their final group match away to Cyprus on Sunday, 15 November. Second-placed Cyprus, on eight points, can reach only 11. UEFA's results list confirms the standings.

Ten men hold on, then win it late

Montenegro played the last half hour with ten men after defender Stefan Savic was sent off in the 57th minute, having been booked earlier in the first half. The hosts still found the breakthrough, with Atalanta striker Krstovic opening the scoring in the 70th minute.

Latvia hit back almost immediately, with Melniks levelling in the 72nd minute to set up a tense finish. But Montenegro kept pushing, and Maras, who had come on as a substitute in the 86th minute, scored the winner in the first minute of added time to spark celebrations in Podgorica. Maras was booked in the 92nd minute, moments after his goal.

A dominant night in the numbers

Montenegro dominated the match statistics, with 55 per cent possession, 22 shots to Latvia's 15, and seven shots on target to five, according to the match data. French referee Jerome Brisard took charge of the game in Podgorica.

The result completed a league double over Latvia for Montenegro, who had also won 2-1 in Riga on 2 October. Latvia, who have taken only one point from five games, finish their campaign at home to Armenia on Sunday.

Group picture

Montenegro's campaign has been built on consistency: they beat Cyprus 2-1, won 3-2 in Armenia, won 2-1 in Latvia, drew 0-0 at home to Armenia, and have now beaten Latvia again. Four wins and a draw from five games have put them out of reach at the top of the group with a match to spare.

Cyprus host Montenegro in the final round of fixtures on Sunday, 15 November, while Latvia host Armenia on the same day. The league phase concludes on 17 November, with the knockout stage and play-off draw to follow on 20 November.