Ararat-Armenia FC Edge BKMA in Five-Goal Thriller in Armenian Premier League

Ararat-Armenia FC produced a dramatic comeback to defeat BKMA 3-2 in an Armenian Premier League classic at the Kotayk Stadium on May 17, 2026. The visitors rallied from a goal down to secure a vital win that keeps them firmly in the championship race.

Match Overview

BKMA started explosively, taking a 2-0 lead within the first 28 minutes. Edgar Movsesyan fired home from the edge of the box in the 12th minute, and Vardan Petrosyan doubled the advantage with a header from a corner. However, Ararat-Armenia responded strongly before halftime: Jean-Paul Manga pulled one back with a powerful drive in the 37th minute, and Gevorg Nranyan equalized in first-half stoppage time with a well-placed shot. The second half saw Ararat-Armenia take control, and the winner came in the 71st minute when Artem Hovhannisyan slotted home after a defensive lapse by BKMA.

Key Moments

• 12' – Movsesyan opens the scoring with a clinical finish.
• 28' – Petrosyan heads in BKMA’s second from a corner.
• 37' – Manga pulls one back with a low drive into the bottom corner.
• 45+2' – Nranyan taps in from a rebound to make it 2-2.
• 71' – Hovhannisyan capitalizes on a mistake to score the decisive goal.

Tactical Story

BKMA employed an aggressive high press early on, catching Ararat-Armenia off guard. However, once the visitors adjusted by dropping deeper to receive the ball, they found gaps in the BKMA defense. Ararat-Armenia switched to a more direct approach in the second half, bypassing midfield pressure with long balls to their forwards. The tactical shift proved decisive as BKMA’s energy levels dipped.

Standout Players

• Gevorg Nranyan – Scored the crucial equalizer and was a constant threat.
• Artem Hovhannisyan – His winner showcased composure under pressure.
• Edgar Movsesyan – Bright start for BKMA, but his team could not hold on.

League Context

The victory moved Ararat-Armenia FC up to 2nd place in the Armenian Premier League, now just three points behind leaders Pyunik Yerevan with seven matches remaining. BKMA, meanwhile, remained in 6th place, their playoff hopes fading after this painful defeat. Ararat-Armenia’s resilience could prove pivotal in the title race.