Armenia captain Tigran Barseghyan was shown a straight red card for headbutting Finn Azaz during Tuesday’s World Cup 2026 qualifier in Dublin, a moment that proved pivotal in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 victory.

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Barseghyan ‘Lost His Head’

The incident occurred seven minutes into the second half when Barseghyan collided with Azaz on the sideline, thrusting his head into the Republic of Ireland midfielder’s face. The red card left Armenia with ten men and shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts.

Southampton midfielder Azaz, starting under manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, described the moment as a turning point. “It was a heated game, there is a lot of emotion, it was a physical game, and these moments can happen,” he said. “He has lost his head and the consequences were they went down to 10 men. It was a headbutt, I felt the contact.”

Azaz added: “It was in the heat of the moment, and it changed the game. That’s part of football.”

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Evan Ferguson Breaks Deadlock

With the numerical advantage, the Republic of Ireland eventually found the breakthrough in the 70th minute. Evan Ferguson scored with a precise header, giving the hosts a vital 1-0 win in Group F. The victory also marked the Republic of Ireland’s first win in this World Cup qualifying cycle, reviving hopes of finishing in a playoff position.

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Group F Standings and Outlook

The Republic of Ireland now sit third in Group F, just one point behind Hungary, who drew late against Portugal to remain in contention for a playoff spot. The group remains tightly contested, with two matches remaining.

Ireland face a crucial challenge in their next fixture: hosting Portugal on 13 November. Victory or a draw could solidify their playoff hopes, though Azaz acknowledges the difficulty of facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s star-studded squad.

“We know it’s going to be tough, but we’ll take confidence from last week and this game,” Azaz said. “We have to be able to compete, and no doubt we’ll be right up for it.”

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Armenia Manager Responds

Armenia coach Yegishe Melikyan confirmed that Barseghyan apologized to his teammates after the game. “Of course, the red card changed the game. It was a mistake,” said Melikyan. “He took responsibility. He said sorry to the whole dressing room. But if a player makes a mistake, it is also my mistake, and I apologize. If there was no red card and we played 11 v 11, I think we could have gotten a good result.”

Despite the setback, Melikyan remains optimistic about Armenia’s future. “We must go forward, and I think we can get good results in the near future,” he added.

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Key Takeaways

• Armenia captain Tigran Barseghyan received a red card for headbutting Finn Azaz.
• Republic of Ireland won 1-0 with Evan Ferguson scoring the decisive goal.
• The win lifts Ireland to third in Group F, keeping playoff hopes alive.
• Armenia remains in contention but must overcome disciplinary setbacks in upcoming matches.
• Ireland prepare to face Portugal in a critical 13 November clash.