Group F: Lawrie Sanchez said that Northern Ireland would be a "credible" team if they were to win this, and they go into the international break third on goal difference in a tough group as legitimate contenders to Sweden and Denmark and four points ahead of Spain.

What is scarcely credible is that David Healy has never started in the Premiership. The 27-year-old Leeds United striker took his tally to 24 goals in 54 Irish appearances with another example of his phenomenal opportunism.

After his brilliant hat-trick against Spain, Healy now has all four of Northern Ireland's goals in the group and will be looking eagerly at Liechtenstein next.

Healy's goal was the difference on a tight night. Maik Taylor made a telling save from Girts Karlsons on 72 minutes but other than that Taylor had a quiet game. It was never easy, though, for the Irish, who had to work tirelessly for a second consecutive clean sheet against a side that reached Euro 2004.

Sanchez made one change from Copenhagen, Damien Johnson replacing the suspended Michael Duff. Translating possession into chances proved difficult for the Irish. Latvia's plan was to defend in numbers and break via their forwards, and until Healy struck, the visitors were both frustrating and dangerous.

The Leeds forward was 30 yards out, with Maris Smirnovs on top of him and with his back to goal. The ball came at Healy's head but with imagination and sharpness he flicked the ball over Smirnovs and ran to collect it.

Aleksandrs Kolinko, once of Crystal Palace, charged off his line, but Healy saw the gap between Kolinko's legs and from just inside the Latvian area steered in yet another Northern Ireland goal.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Taylor; Baird, Craigan, Hughes, Evans; Gillespie, Davis, Johnson, Clingan; Healy (Feeney 90), Lafferty (Quinn 88).

LATVIA: Kolinko; Stepanovs, Zirnis; Astafjevs, Laizans; Kacanovs, Smirnovs (Gorkss 45); Solonicins (Visnakovs 85), Verpakovskis (Kalnins 78); Karlsons, Pahars.

Referee: Helmut Fleischer (Germany).