Araks Ararat produced a five-goal thriller at home to book safe passage in the Armenian Cup, seeing off a stubborn FC Cilicia side 4-2 on 24 August 2026. The Cup tie, played under the lights at the club's home ground, delivered drama, heavy attacking intent, and a scoreline that flattered neither side for long stretches of an absorbing contest.

The hosts entered the match as favourites given their recent domestic form, but Cilicia arrived with a clear plan to disrupt and counter. That approach nearly paid off in the opening quarter-hour, yet it was Araks Ararat who struck first to settle any early nerves. From there, the match swung between slick combination play and scrappy midfield battles, with both goalkeepers called into action repeatedly.

First-half momentum swings

Araks Ararat took control inside the opening 20 minutes with a well-worked move down the right channel, finishing coolly past the Cilicia keeper. The lead, however, lasted only minutes, as FC Cilicia responded with a thunderous strike from distance that gave the home defence no chance. The equaliser seemed to galvanise the visitors, who began pressing higher and forcing mistakes from the back line.

Yet Araks Ararat's response was immediate and emphatic. A quick break through midfield carved open the Cilicia rearguard, and a composed finish restored the lead before the half-hour mark. The see-saw nature of the tie continued as Cilicia again dragged themselves level, this time from a set-piece routine that caught the hosts flat-footed. At 2-2, the cup tie was firmly in the balance heading into the interval.

Second-half control and a decisive finish

Whatever the home coaching staff said during the break worked. Araks Ararat emerged with renewed intensity, pressing high and pinning Cilicia inside their own half for extended spells. The third goal arrived just after the hour mark, a header from a pinpoint cross that left the visiting goalkeeper stranded. With the visitors now forced to chase the game, space opened up on the counter, and Araks Ararat sealed the victory late on with a fourth goal, a composed one-on-one finish that wrapped up a memorable cup night.

Defensively, Araks Ararat tightened up considerably in the final 30 minutes, and the away side rarely threatened beyond long-range efforts. The 4-2 scoreline reflects both the attacking quality on display and the occasional looseness at the back that will need tightening in the next round.

What the result means in the Armenian Cup

The Armenian Cup has a long tradition of producing high-scoring ties and surprise results, and this match was no exception. Araks Ararat's victory ensures their name is in the hat for the next round, where they will face stiffer competition. For FC Cilicia, the exit will be hard to take given the effort they put into the contest, but they can take heart from a competitive display that pushed a fellow Armenian side all the way.

• Key result: Araks Ararat 4-2 FC Cilicia
• Competition: Armenian Cup
• Date: 24 August 2026, kick-off 20:00
• Next challenge: Araks Ararat await the draw for the following round

With goals, momentum shifts, and a late flurry, Araks Ararat's supporters left the ground satisfied. The Armenian Cup is often the route to silverware for clubs outside the very top of the league, and this performance suggests they have the ambition and attacking power to go deep into the competition.