Armenia’s Historic Victory Over Ireland Throws World Cup Qualifying Group F Wide Open

Stunning Victory in Yerevan

In a dramatic second round match of Group F in the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Armenia’s national team secured a memorable 2-1 victory over Ireland at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan.

Match Highlights

The deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage time when Eduard Spertsyan confidently converted a penalty, marking his tenth goal for the national team and remarkably, his third against Ireland. Armenia doubled their advantage early in the second half when Grant-Leon Ranos found the net in the 51st minute, scoring his first goal for the national team in two years. Ireland responded through Evan Ferguson, who pulled one back in the 57th minute.

Impact on Qualification

The defeat has left the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign in tatters after just two matches, reminiscent of their Qatar 2022 campaign when defeats to Serbia and Luxembourg derailed their hopes early on. The loss is particularly significant as Armenia, currently ranked 105th in the FIFA rankings, continues to prove a challenging opponent for Ireland.

Looking Ahead

After two rounds of matches, Armenia has positioned themselves strongly in Group F, currently sitting in second place with three points. The group, which includes Portugal and Hungary alongside Armenia and Ireland, promises more exciting encounters ahead as teams battle for qualification spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.