Karlen Hovhannisyan rated Armenia’s best player against Cyprus by SofaScore

Armenia midfielder Karlen Hovhannisyan received the highest rating among the national team’s players in the UEFA Nations League Matchday 3 game against Cyprus. The match in Nicosia ended in a 0-2 defeat for Armenia.

According to SofaScore, the 21-year-old earned a rating of 7.6. Despite the result and his mistake in the build-up to the second goal conceded, Hovhannisyan produced a strong performance across most statistical categories.

Karlen Hovhannisyan’s stats

• 1 shot — 0.05 xG

• 1 key pass — 0.11 xA

• 67 accurate passes — 91%

• 4 accurate long balls — 80%

• 2 successful carries

• 6 tackles

• 1 interception

• 7 ball recoveries

• 2 clearances

• 7 of 9 duels won

• 3 of 3 aerial duels won

The main negative moment in the midfielder’s performance was the error that led to a goal. Hovhannisyan lost possession after an inaccurate pass in midfield, allowing Cyprus to launch a quick counterattack and score their second goal. Without that episode, his performance could have received a significantly higher rating.

Iwu missed Armenia’s best chance

The highest xG figure among Armenia’s players belonged to Ugochukwu Iwu — 0.54. The midfielder had an excellent opportunity to score late in the match following a corner and a rebound, but failed to convert the chance.

Eduard Spertsyan and Edgar Sevikyan also had good opportunities to score in the first half following a cross from Gor Manvelyan.

Spertsyan led Armenia in total shots:

• Eduard Spertsyan — 4 shots (0.23 xG)

• Karen Nalbandyan — 3 (0.17 xG)

• Narek Grigoryan — 3 (0.13 xG)

• Gor Manvelyan — 2 (0.06 xG)

• Edgar Sevikyan, Narek Hovhannisyan, Erik Piloyan, Karlen Hovhannisyan and Ugochukwu Iwu recorded one shot each.

Eduard Spertsyan and Nair Tiknizyan made three key passes each. Karlen Hovhannisyan, Davit Terteryan, Gor Manvelyan and Artem Bandikyan registered one apiece.

It was Manvelyan who created one big chance for his teammates.

Beglaryan received a 5.4 rating

Goalkeeper Arsen Beglaryan received Armenia’s lowest rating — 5.4.

In one episode, the goalkeeper made an error leading to a goal after a corner, failing to hold onto the ball and allowing the Cyprus players to take advantage. He also had a chance to make the save on the second goal after a shot towards his near post, but was beaten.

Armenia eventually lost 0-2, suffering their second consecutive defeat in the Nations League.