Zhirayr Shaghoyan named best player in Armenia vs Cyprus by SofaScore: player statistics

Ararat-Armenia winger Zhirayr Shaghoyan was named the best player of the Armenia vs Cyprus match (1-1) according to the statistical platform SofaScore. The 25-year-old received a rating of 8.2, making him the highest-rated player in the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Matchday 5 encounter.

The match took place on November 12 at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan. Cyprus opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Yasonas Pikis, but Artur Gharibyan equalized in the 58th minute following an assist from Artur Serobyan.

Despite the draw, several Armenia national team players recorded impressive individual statistics. Zhirayr Shaghoyan stood out in particular, producing one of his best performances for the national team.

Zhirayr Shaghoyan leads Armenia's attack

Shaghoyan was one of the key figures in the match. Operating on the left flank, he combined effectively with Nair Tiknizyan, regularly threatened the opposition defense, created opportunities for his teammates, and actively competed for possession.

The Armenian winger's passing statistics were particularly impressive. Shaghoyan made six key passes — more than any other Armenia player. He also completed four accurate crosses, leading the team in that category as well.

Zhirayr Shaghoyan's statistics against Cyprus:

• SofaScore rating — 8.2.

• Minutes played — 86.

• Shots — 3.

• Expected goals (xG) — 0.09.

• Key passes — 6.

• Accurate passes — 48 (89%).

• Expected assists (xA) — 0.43.

• Accurate crosses — 4.

• Successful dribbles — 2 out of 3.

• Fouls won — 1.

• Duels won — 4 out of 7.

• Interceptions — 2.

• Successful tackles — 1.

• Shots on target — 1.

• Offsides — 1.

• Distance covered — 8.6 km.

In addition to his attacking contributions, Shaghoyan worked extensively off the ball, helping his teammates defensively and participating in ball recoveries.

The Ararat-Armenia winger left the pitch in the 86th minute and was replaced by Narek Hovhannisyan.

Armenia vs Cyprus overall statistics: 25 shots and 68% possession

SofaScore statistics highlight Armenia's significant advantage in possession and attacking activity.

Key match statistics (Armenia — Cyprus):

• Ball possession — 68% — 32%.

• Total shots — 25 — 10.

• Shots on target — 6 — 2.

• Shots off target — 7 — 6.

• Blocked shots — 12 — 2.

• Shots inside the penalty area — 14 — 7.

• Shots outside the penalty area — 11 — 3.

• Corners — 11 — 4.

• Passes — 562 — 264.

• Expected goals (xG) — 1.28 — 1.72.

• Expected goals on target (xGOT) — 0.81 — 0.77.

• Big chances — 1 — 3.

• Woodwork hits — 0 — 1.

• Goalkeeper saves — 1 — 5.

• Distance covered — 98.3 — 96.7 km.

• Number of sprints — 99 — 92.

• Tackles — 10 — 20.

• Fouls committed — 14 — 10.

• Yellow cards — 3 — 2.

The main paradox of the match was that Armenia attempted 2.5 times as many shots as Cyprus but still had a lower expected goals total.

Despite Armenia recording 25 shots compared to Cyprus' ten, the visitors finished with a higher xG of 1.72 against Armenia's 1.28. This indicates that Cyprus created higher-quality chances on average.

The difference in big chances was particularly revealing: Armenia created just one, while Cyprus registered three.

At the same time, Armenian players attacked significantly more often and forced the visiting goalkeeper into five saves. Armenia goalkeeper Arsen Mishiev made one save.

In addition, 12 Armenian shots were blocked by opposition defenders, compared to only two blocked attempts from Cyprus.

Armenia's dominance was also reflected in the passing statistics, with 562 passes compared to Cyprus' 264. However, territorial superiority was not enough for Yeghishe Melikyan's side to secure victory.

Armenia's highest-rated players according to SofaScore

In addition to Shaghoyan, Armenia's goalscorer Artur Gharibyan, defender Georgi Harutyunyan, and midfielder Karlen Hovhannisyan received high ratings.

Armenia's four highest-rated players:

1. Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 8.2.

2. Artur Gharibyan — 7.3.

3. Georgi Harutyunyan — 7.1.

4. Karlen Hovhannisyan — 7.1.

Gharibyan scored Armenia's only goal and won both of his aerial duels. Harutyunyan delivered a solid defensive performance, while Hovhannisyan demonstrated excellent passing accuracy in midfield.

Armenia's attacking statistics: xG, shots and key passes

According to SofaScore, Armenia's total expected goals (xG) figure was 1.28.

Artur Serobyan recorded the highest individual xG at 0.39. Serobyan also provided the assist for Gharibyan's equalizer.

Expected goals (xG):

• Artur Serobyan — 0.39.

• Artur Gharibyan — 0.29.

• Narek Grigoryan — 0.18.

• Nair Tiknizyan — 0.10.

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 0.09.

• Edgar Sevikyan — 0.08.

• Stepa Mkrtchyan — 0.05.

• Artyom Bandikyan — 0.04.

• Ugochukwu Iwu — 0.03.

• Karlen Hovhannisyan — 0.03.

Shots on target:

• Artur Serobyan — 2.

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 1.

• Artur Gharibyan — 1.

• Edgar Sevikyan — 1.

• Narek Grigoryan — 1.

Key passes:

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 6.

• Nair Tiknizyan — 4.

• Artur Serobyan — 3.

• Narek Grigoryan — 2.

• Artur Gharibyan — 1.

• Ugochukwu Iwu — 1.

Accurate crosses:

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 4.

• Nair Tiknizyan — 2.

• Artur Serobyan — 2.

Successful dribbles:

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 2.

• Nair Tiknizyan — 2.

• Artur Serobyan — 1.

• Artyom Bandikyan — 1.

Distance covered:

• Nair Tiknizyan — 10.7 km.

• Karlen Hovhannisyan — 10.3 km.

• Georgi Harutyunyan — 10.1 km.

Top speed:

• Nair Tiknizyan — 35.6 km/h.

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 32.1 km/h.

Meanwhile, Artur Serobyan created Armenia's only big chance recorded in SofaScore's corresponding statistical category.

Mkrtchyan, Harutyunyan and Hovhannisyan lead in passing accuracy

The passing performance of Armenia's players also deserves attention. Central defender Stepa Mkrtchyan completed the highest number of accurate passes.

Leaders in accurate passes:

• Stepa Mkrtchyan — 81 (96%).

• Georgi Harutyunyan — 73 (92%).

• Karlen Hovhannisyan — 56 (97%).

Karlen Hovhannisyan particularly stood out, recording the highest passing accuracy among the three players at 97%.

Defensive statistics: Harutyunyan and Bandikyan among the leaders

Central defender Georgi Harutyunyan and right-back Artyom Bandikyan played important roles in Armenia's defensive actions.

Successful tackles:

• Georgi Harutyunyan, Karlen Hovhannisyan, Artyom Bandikyan — 2 each.

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Artur Gharibyan, Nair Tiknizyan, Stepa Mkrtchyan — 1 each.

Interceptions:

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Georgi Harutyunyan, Ugochukwu Iwu — 2 each.

• Nair Tiknizyan, Stepa Mkrtchyan, Artyom Bandikyan — 1 each.

Clearances:

• Georgi Harutyunyan — 2.

• Arsen Mishiev — 2.

• Artyom Bandikyan — 2.

Blocked shots:

• Georgi Harutyunyan — 1.

• Artyom Bandikyan — 1.

Duels won:

• Nair Tiknizyan — 5 out of 12.

• Zhirayr Shaghoyan — 4 out of 7.

• Artyom Bandikyan — 4 out of 6.

• Karlen Hovhannisyan — 3 out of 5.

Aerial duels won:

• Georgi Harutyunyan — 3 out of 4.

• Artur Gharibyan — 2 out of 2.

• Stepa Mkrtchyan — 1 out of 1.

• Artur Serobyan — 1 out of 3.

Artur Gharibyan led Armenia in offsides, having been caught offside twice. Zhirayr Shaghoyan was flagged offside once.

Thus, despite dropping points at home, Armenia demonstrated several positive individual performances. Shaghoyan and Tiknizyan's activity on the left flank, the central defenders' passing accuracy, and the productive attacking contributions of Artur Gharibyan and Artur Serobyan were particularly noteworthy.

Zhirayr Shaghoyan was named the best player of the match according to SofaScore, with his contribution to creating attacking opportunities emerging as one of the main positives for Armenia.