Bentonit Idzhevan Edge Eight-Goal Classic: Ararat-Armenia B 3-5 Bentonit Idzhevan

Bentonit Idzhevan produced a ruthless attacking display to win 5-3 against Ararat-Armenia B in the Armenian First League on Monday, 14 September 2026. In a match that swung from a comfortable away lead to a tense 3-3 scoreline, Karen Melikyan’s hat-trick and a late Arsen Hovhannisyan goal settled a remarkable contest under the lights. The result gives Bentonit a significant boost in the early-season standings and hands Ararat-Armenia B a painful lesson in game management.

Match Overview

The Armenian First League encounter pitted Ararat-Armenia’s reserve side against a Bentonit Idzhevan team eager to make a statement on the road. From the opening whistle, Bentonit pressed high and looked to turn possession into quick chances. Ararat-Armenia B, who typically favour a patient build-up through midfield, struggled to cope with the intensity.

By the time the half-time whistle blew, the visitors had a 3-1 lead and looked in control. But the home side’s second-half comeback made it 3-3 before Bentonit found another gear in the final fifteen minutes. The eight-goal thriller was one of the most entertaining Armenian First League matches of the season so far, and it left both sets of supporters with plenty to discuss.

Key Moments: How the Eight-Goal Thriller Unfolded

• 8th minute – 0-1 Bentonit: Karen Melikyan opened the scoring with a composed finish after Arsen Hovhannisyan won the ball high up the pitch. The press paid off immediately.
• 19th minute – 0-2 Bentonit: David Grigoryan doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner, punishing Ararat-Armenia B’s marking.
• 31st minute – 1-2 Ararat-Armenia B: Erik Petrosyan pulled one back, finishing low past the goalkeeper after a sharp turn in the box.
• 42nd minute – 1-3 Bentonit: Melikyan struck again on the counter, racing onto a through ball and slotting it beyond the advancing keeper.
• Half-time: Ararat-Armenia B 1-3 Bentonit Idzhevan.
• 54th minute – 2-3 Ararat-Armenia B: Vahan Sargsyan gave the home side hope with a well-placed free-kick from the edge of the area.
• 67th minute – 3-3 Ararat-Armenia B: Petrosyan scored his second of the night, converting a cross at the back post to complete a stirring comeback.
• 76th minute – 3-4 Bentonit: Melikyan completed his hat-trick, reacting quickest to a rebound after the Ararat keeper made a save.
• 88th minute – 3-5 Bentonit: Hovhannisyan sealed the win on the break, finishing calmly one-on-one.

Tactical Story: Press, Transitions and a Collapsing Lead

Bentonit Idzhevan set up with an aggressive 4-2-3-1, using their front four to press Ararat-Armenia B’s centre-backs and force turnovers in dangerous areas. That strategy produced the opening goal and set the tone. Ararat-Armenia B saw plenty of the ball, especially after half-time, but their high defensive line left them exposed to Bentonit’s direct counter-attacks. The home side’s midfield struggled to track runners, and Bentonit repeatedly found space between the lines.

Ararat-Armenia B’s comeback was built on better width and quicker ball circulation. Sargsyan’s free-kick and Petrosyan’s second goal showed the quality in their attacking ranks. However, once the score became 3-3, Bentonit made two smart substitutions and switched to a more compact 4-4-2, inviting pressure and hitting on the break.

The tactical shift worked perfectly: Melikyan’s third and Hovhannisyan’s late clincher both came from rapid transitions. For Ararat-Armenia B, the collapse will be a tough review, particularly the ease with which they were cut open in the final twenty minutes.

Standout Players

Karen Melikyan (Bentonit Idzhevan): The hat-trick hero was the difference-maker. His movement in the box, clinical finishing and relentless pressing made him a nightmare for the Ararat defence. He now climbs the Armenian First League scoring charts.

Arsen Hovhannisyan (Bentonit Idzhevan): A goal and two assists capped a complete midfield performance. He won the ball high for the opener, set up Melikyan’s third and finished the late breakaway himself.

Erik Petrosyan (Ararat-Armenia B): The young forward was the home side’s brightest spark. Two well-taken goals and constant movement kept Ararat-Armenia B alive, even when the game looked lost.

David Grigoryan (Bentonit Idzhevan): Beyond his first-half header, he screened the back four effectively and helped Bentonit survive the second-half pressure before the late goals.

Armenian First League Table Impact