Araz Nakhchivan delivered one of the most emphatic results of the Azerbaijan Cup round, dismantling Al Shimali 6-0 in an away tie that was effectively decided before the hour mark. Nijat Gurbanov led the rout with a hat-trick, Orkhan Aliyev added a brace, and Rauf Mammadov completed the scoring late on as the visitors combined ruthless finishing with sustained territorial dominance.

The result sends Araz Nakhchivan into the next round with momentum and a statement of intent, while Al Shimali are left to reflect on a chastening evening against opponents from a higher level of the domestic pyramid. The scoreline was built on quick ball circulation, aggressive pressing and a clinical edge that Al Shimali simply could not match over 90 minutes.

Match overview

Araz Nakhchivan started with purpose and pinned Al Shimali deep inside their own half. The home side initially defended in a compact 5-4-1 shape, looking to slow the tempo and threaten on the break, but the visitors’ midfield trio controlled the rhythm from the opening exchanges. The deadlock was broken after 11 minutes when Gurbanov seized on a loose touch just inside the penalty area and finished low into the bottom corner.

Al Shimali’s best spell came immediately after conceding, with one promising counter down the right forcing Araz goalkeeper Emil Hasanov into his only meaningful save of the first half. That resistance was broken again in the 24th minute when Aliyev arrived late in the box to convert a cut-back from the left. Gurbanov made it 3-0 six minutes before half-time, racing on to a through ball and lifting his finish calmly over the advancing goalkeeper.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Araz Nakhchivan refused to ease off, adding a fourth through Aliyev in the 52nd minute after a sharp turnover in midfield. Gurbanov completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute with a first-time strike from the edge of the area, before Mammadov headed home a corner in the 84th minute to round off the scoring.

Key moments

• 11’ – Gurbanov opens the scoring: Araz’s high press forces a turnover and Gurbanov finishes neatly inside the box.
• 24’ – Aliyev doubles the lead: A flowing move down the left ends with a simple tap-in for the midfielder.
• 39’ – Gurbanov makes it three: The forward beats the offside trap and produces a composed finish.
• 52’ – Aliyev strikes again: Araz win the ball high up the pitch and punish Al Shimali within seconds.
• 68’ – Hat-trick complete: Gurbanov curls a first-time effort beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
• 84’ – Mammadov seals it: A corner is met with a powerful header to make it 6-0.

Tactical story

Araz Nakhchivan set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that became a 4-3-3 in possession, with the full-backs pushing high to stretch Al Shimali’s five-man defence. The visitors repeatedly targeted the space between the home side’s wing-back and centre-back, and that channel produced several of their best chances. Their pressing triggers were also effective: whenever Al Shimali tried to play out from the back, Araz’s front three closed angles quickly and forced errors in dangerous areas.

Al Shimali’s plan was built around damage limitation and counter-attacks, but once the first goal went in, the home side struggled to maintain their shape without leaving gaps. Their midfield line dropped too deep, allowing Araz to camp on the edge of the box and recycle possession at will. The second-half substitutions only reinforced Araz’s control, with fresh legs maintaining the intensity and helping to add three more goals after the break.

Standout players

Nijat Gurbanov was the obvious headline performer, scoring three goals and constantly troubling Al Shimali with his movement across the back line. His first and third goals showcased different qualities — a poacher’s instinct inside the box and a clean first-time strike from distance — while his second was a lesson in timing a run behind a deep defence.

Orkhan Aliyev was equally influential, scoring twice and providing the assist for Gurbanov’s opener. The midfielder’s late arrivals into the penalty area were a recurring problem for Al Shimali, and his link-up play with the front line gave Araz a constant attacking outlet. Rauf Mammadov capped a strong all-round display with the sixth goal, while goalkeeper Emil Hasanov kept a clean sheet and dealt comfortably with the few crosses that came his way.

What the result means

For Araz Nakhchivan, the 6-0 win is both a confidence boost and a warning to the rest of the Azerbaijan Cup field. Cup ties can often produce tense, low-scoring affairs, but this was a controlled demolit