Araks Ararat produced a five-goal thriller in the Armenian Cup on 24 August 2026, defeating FC Cilicia 4–2 on home soil. The match, played under the lights at the start of the cup campaign, saw Araks recover from an early setback to take control with a burst of attacking football that ultimately proved too much for Cilicia to handle.

Match overview

The Armenian Cup tie delivered both drama and goals, with Araks Ararat advancing to the next round after a pulsating encounter. Cilicia opened brightly and briefly looked capable of causing an upset, but a strong response from the home side before half-time shifted the momentum decisively. By full-time, Araks had scored four times and booked their spot with a degree of authority, even as Cilicia kept the contest alive until the final stages.

Key moments

• Early shock for Araks: Cilicia took the lead in the opening quarter-hour, catching the home defence off guard and silencing the crowd.
• Rapid equalizer: Araks responded within minutes, with a well-worked move ending in a composed finish to make it 1–1.
• Leader before the interval: A second home goal followed just before half-time, giving Araks a 2–1 edge and the psychological boost they needed.
• Two-goal cushion: Araks extended their lead early in the second half with a clinical strike, making it 3–1 and forcing Cilicia to chase the game.
• Late drama: Cilicia pulled one back to set up a nervy finale, but Araks sealed the victory with a fourth goal to wrap up a 4–2 scoreline.

Tactical story

Araks Ararat leaned on their width and tempo in midfield, particularly after Cilicia's bright opening. Full-backs pushed high to stretch the pitch, while the forward line pressed aggressively to force turnovers in dangerous areas. Cilicia demonstrated quality in transitional play and managed to find gaps in the home defence, but their inconsistent structure allowed Araks to dominate long spells. The home side’s ability to score in quick bursts proved to be the decisive tactical difference.

Standout players

While official individual statistics were not recorded, Araks’ attacking quartet clearly carried the game. The striker who scored the crucial equalizer set the tone, while the midfielder who added the fourth goal showed composure in a tense final phase. For Cilicia, their goal-scorers earned credit for keeping the tie alive, but the visitors ultimately lacked the defensive solidity required to contain a confident Araks attack.

Impact and next steps

The result sends Araks Ararat into the next round of the Armenian Cup with growing confidence. For FC Cilicia, the defeat ends their cup run at the first hurdle, leaving them to focus their attention on league form. Araks will now look to carry the momentum from this four-goal display into their upcoming fixtures, having shown they can both create chances and respond under pressure.