Armenia Stun Ireland 2-1 in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Ireland's qualification chances take a hit after defeat to Armenia

Ireland's 2-1 loss to Armenia has put their World Cup qualification prospects in doubt. Read more about the match and its aftermath.

Armenia's victory marked the end of an eight-game winless streak in FIFA World Cup qualifiers...

Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes have taken a significant hit after a shocking 2-1 loss to Armenia. The Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium witnessed Armenia's Eduard Spertsyan score a crucial penalty kick, while Grant-Leon Ranos doubled the lead. Evan Ferguson pulled one back for Ireland with a beautifully curled shot, but it wasn't enough to salvage a draw.

This defeat puts Ireland in a precarious position, following a lackluster start to their qualifying campaign. A 2-2 draw against Hungary in their opening match didn't set the tone for success, despite a spirited comeback. The Irish team's momentum from salvaging a point against Hungary was expected to carry over, but Armenia's determined performance has left them reeling.

Armenia's victory marked the end of an eight-game winless streak in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, showcasing their determination to make a statement. Ireland, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to stay in contention. With this loss, their chances of qualifying for the World Cup hang in the balance, and they'll need a significant turnaround in their next matches to revive their hopes.

In the early stages of the match, Ireland's Evan Ferguson had a golden opportunity to score. Armenia's goalkeeper, Ognjen Cancarevic, came off his line to smother the ball but fumbled it, allowing Ferguson to pick it up. Ferguson attempted to chip the ball over Cancarevic, but Armenian defender Erik Piloyan made a crucial intervention, heading the ball clear off the goal line to deny Ireland the lead.

This pivotal moment in the game showcased the intensity and competitiveness between the two teams. Armenia's defense, led by Piloyan's timely clearance, prevented Ireland from taking an early lead. The match remained tense, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Ultimately, Armenia took the lead just before halftime when Eduard Spertsyan converted a penalty kick, scoring his 10th goal for Armenia and giving his team a 1-0 advantage.

Ireland go in behind at the break pic.twitter.com/Btsm6OPnUx

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 9, 2025

Jack Taylor almost gave Ireland the lead just before the half-hour mark, but Ognjen Cancarevic made a crucial save with his legs to deny the near-post effort. This was a significant moment in the match, showcasing Taylor's skill and Cancarevic's sharp reflexes.

Armenia's Growing Momentum

As the game progressed, Armenia started to gain momentum. They had a golden opportunity to take the lead 10 minutes before halftime when Grant-Leon Ranos' shot from inside the box hit the crossbar. However, fortune smiled upon them in the final minute of the first half. Tigran Barseghyan was fouled by Nathan Collins in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Eduard Spertsyan confidently converted the penalty, securing a 1-0 lead for Armenia at halftime.

Ireland's Heimir Hallgrimsson made tactical substitutions at halftime, bringing on Kasey McAteer and Adam Idah for Chiedozie Ogbene and Jack Taylor. However, Armenia's momentum continued in the second half, with Grant-Leon Ranos scoring a second goal just six minutes after the restart. Ranos tapped the ball into an empty net, finishing off a well-worked Armenian move, which put pressure on the Irish team.

The deficit could have demoralized Ireland, but they showed resilience. Adam Idah's clever through ball led to Evan Ferguson scoring a crucial goal, curling the ball past Armenia's goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic. This reduced Ireland's deficit to one goal, keeping their World Cup qualifying hopes alive.

The match's intensity carried into the final stages, with Artur Serobyan having a goal disallowed due to offside. Despite these late opportunities, Armenia secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Ireland.

Group Standings

This win propels Armenia to second place in Group F, while Ireland finds themselves at the bottom of the group after two matches. Ireland now faces a challenging road ahead, requiring a swift recovery to stay in contention for World Cup qualification. According to the current standings, Portugal tops Group F with 3 points from 1 match, followed by Hungary and Ireland, both with 1 point from 1 match, while Armenia has 0 points from 1 match.