SPORTSWORLD.AM
As part of the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup European Zone qualifying round, the Armenian national team hosted the Irish national team in an away match.
At the start of the match, the Irish tried to put pressure on us, it is natural, and they got the right to a set piece, which is a vulnerable point for our team, but Henry Avagyan was there. In this match, Yeghishe Melikyan did not bring Lucas Selarayan and Vahan Bichakhchyan onto the field from the opening minutes. Such a decision by the Armenian specialist can have two explanations. Melikyan gave the two players, who did a lot of work in the match with the Hungarians, a chance to rest, and it can also be said that this was due to the need to activate the game in the second half. During the first half, they played scouting football, trying to find each other's weak points. Azaz and his teammates scored two goals, and the Armenian players responded with one. At the end of the half, Kamo Hovhannisyan passed from the right flank of the attack to Eduard Spertsyan, whose goal was not successful, otherwise the opponent could have had a serious problem.
In the second half, history repeated itself: Tigran Barseghyan headbutted Azaz, as a result of which Benoit Bastiat sent the Slovan Bratislava player off the field with a red card. The Irish team, having a numerical advantage, rushed to the attack and the goalkeeper of Yerevan's Pyunik made a wonderful save and saved our team from a goal. The Armenian team, remaining with ten players, could not withstand the pressure of the opponent for long and in the 70th minute of the match, Evan Ferguson found his moment and scored a goal defended by Henry Avagyan. In the final part of the match, Henry Avagyan and his friends showed activity in front, trying to find a way to the opponent's goal, but all attempts were crowned with failure. At the end of regular time, the Irish team scored a second goal for our team, but the "Greens" were in an offside position, which was not missed by Bastien and his friends. According to sportsworld.am, the best player of the match was Henry Avagyan for his work.
In the parallel match between Portugal and Hungary in Group F, a draw (2:2) was recorded. Our team will host Hungary in Yerevan on November 13, which is the last home match for our team in the current tournament.