Armenia Women's National Soccer Team’s Historic Win in Bulgaria

The Armenia women's national soccer team clinched a remarkable win against Bulgaria on April 9, 2024. The victory, with a final score of 3-2, not only marked a significant moment for the team but also signaled a resurgence in their performance after more than a decade of challenges.

The decisive moment came in the 91st minute when Ani Safaryan scored the winning goal in Sofia, securing a hard-fought triumph for Armenia. This victory stands as one of the team's most memorable achievements in recent years, with celebrations echoing across the homeland and its diaspora.

In a statement to The Armenian Report, Midfielder Isabella Maneh Nersesyan said, "When I was invited to play for the Armenian U17 National team couple of years ago at age of 14, I really wanted to make a difference for my homeland and all the girls to believe they too can play this beautiful game. In 2022, in UEFA European U17 Qualifying tournament, we made history and won first ever game for Armenia U17 team (we beat Georgia  3:0, I had two goals and an assist) And now, to be able to do the same for the Senior National team is truly a dream come true. There was so much emotions and tears of joy after the final whistle in Sofia, Bulgaria  -- something that is really hard to describe in words. Most of the girls had never won an official game and to do it in that fashion was unreal. Truly a hard fought team effort to make our nation proud."

For the Armenia women's team, this win ended a long drought. The last time they tasted victory was on June 12, 2021, when they defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 in a friendly match. However, in UEFA qualification tournaments, their success had been elusive for over 13 years. The last time they emerged victorious in a UEFA qualifier was on March 3, 2011, with a narrow 1-0 win against Faroe Islands, courtesy of Gayane Kostanyan's goal.

The match against Bulgaria showcased Armenia's determination and skill on the field. The game kicked off with Armenia seizing control and taking the lead just before halftime. Lara Kazandjian's goal in the 43rd minute gave Armenia a crucial advantage, setting the stage for an intense second half.

In the early minutes of the second half, Armenia further solidified their lead with a goal from Veronika Asatryan in the 49th minute, assisted by the team's captain, Maral Artin. With a 2-0 lead, Armenia appeared to be on course for a comfortable victory, showing resilience and teamwork throughout the match.

Despite Bulgaria's efforts to stage a comeback, Armenia's defense held firm, denying their opponents any significant chances until the dying moments of the game. Ani Safaryan's late goal sealed the victory for Armenia, sparking scenes of jubilation among players and fans alike.