Armenian Sports News

For the second consecutive game, Armenia squandered a late lead and had to settle for a draw.

A goal in the 77th minute by Iceland’s Isak Johannesson equalized Friday’s FIFA World Cup qualification match in Reykjavic as Armenia earned one point, instead of three, in the Group J standings.

Armenia started the scoring in the 35th minute when new addition Lucas Zelarayan set up Kamo Hovannisyan perfectly for the first goal of the game. Armenia wasted several other opportunities, including 10 corner kicks and two late free kicks by Henrikh Mkhitaryan which sailed over the cross bar.

Armenia is now winless in four consecutive World Cup qualifiers. After starting 3-0 in round-robin play, Armenia played to a scoreless draw at North Macedonia, got trounced by Germany, 6-0, and then blew a late lead at home against Liechtenstein to settle for another tie.

With the draw, Armenia lost its grip on second place in the table after North Macedonia defeated Liechtenstein to leapfrog into second place. Germany defeated Romania to take a commanding six-point lead in first place.

The good news is Armenia still controls its own destiny to clinch second place and advance to a play-off for a chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Armenia travels to Romania for an important match on Monday before heading home to finish their schedule against North Macedonia and Germany in November.