Armenia Beats Bulgaria 2 – 1

YEREVAN—Armenia’s national soccer team beat Bulgaria 2 – 1 on Friday in a dramatic game, which saw two red cards for Bulgaria and a last minute goal from Yura Movsisyan to clench the win.

Armenian international Aras Ozbiliz scored the opening goal in Yerevan just before half time, chipping the ball into the top-right corner of the goal from a free-kick just outside the box. The free-kick came from a tackle on Ozbiliz that resulted in Bulgaria’s Nikolay Bodurov being sent off.

Returning from half-time and with one man down, Bulgaria replied with a free-kick goal of their own from Ivelin Popov, leveling the score.

But the Bulgarian side soon received another red card, Svetoslav Dyakov this time, getting his second yellow card of the game.

With a two man advantage, the game dissolved into Armenia hammering away at the Bulgarian goal until, in the 87th minute, Yura Movsisyan slid a ball past the goalkeeper and into goal.

The FIFA World Cup qualifier game brought a slew of unfinished business from the last meeting between the two sides last year.

The first meeting between Armenia and Bulgaria spiraled into controversy as things got heated on the pitch. Armenia received two red cards and Bulgaria won the match, with the home fans sending the Armenian team off with less than kind gestures.

Needless to say, the Armenian fans were itching for revenge as Friday’s match got underway.

Whether by fate or coincidence, the game was an uncanny replay of the first, with Bulgaria collecting two red cards this time and Armenia taking the win.

Armenia has managed to keep itself in contention for qualifying for the World Cup with Friday’s win, while dealing a significant blow to Bulgaria’s aspirations.