Finn Azaz: “Barseghyan lost his composure, and that changed the course of the match”

Republic of Ireland midfielder Finn Azaz commented on the incident in the match against Armenia, when the Armenian team’s captain Tigran Barseghyan headbutted him in the 52nd minute and was sent off. After that moment, Armenia was left with ten men, and in the 70th minute, the Irish scored the only goal of the game to secure victory.

“It was a tense match, full of emotions and battles. These things sometimes happen,” Azaz told BBC Sport NI. “He lost his composure, and the consequences were clear — they were down to ten men. It was a headbutt, I felt the contact.”

Azaz, who started in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s lineup, added:
“I don’t have much to say — it all happened in the heat of the moment. That episode changed the flow of the game, but it’s part of football.”

Tigran Barseghyan’s reckless action earned him a red card in one of his team’s most important matches, significantly complicating Armenia’s position in the qualifying standings.

After four rounds, Armenia has 3 points and sits fourth in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Head coach of Armenia: “Barseghyan’s red card is my responsibility.”