UEFA Europa League Gameweek 1
Ararat-Armenia 1 - 4 FT Sparta Praha
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Futmetrix Verdict
52
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Bournemouth
3-0
AC Milan
โก Intensity
75
โ๏ธ Balance
20
๐ Stakes
3
๐ฒ Upset
0
Two penalties, one red card, total control
Futmetrix Verdict
26
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Sturm Graz
1-0
Marseille
โก Intensity
22
โ๏ธ Balance
31
๐ Stakes
11
๐ฒ Upset
60
Diakitรฉ struck; Marseille never answered
Futmetrix Verdict
56
FT
Thu, Oct 22
OFI
0-2
Bayer Leverkusen
โก Intensity
49
โ๏ธ Balance
22
๐ Stakes
100
๐ฒ Upset
0
Hofmann strikes, Lilo refuses to fold
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
T. Guddal (A. Karabec) 20'
T. Guddal 22'
HT
J. Mercado (J. Alcocer) 53'
55' B. R. Wilson Valdez (Sandro Lima)
57' A. Serobyan
58' โ Benny โFranca Carlos
โ J. Brunes โM. Vojta 61'
โ H. Sochurek โP. Vydra 61'
โ A. Karabec โA. Irving 69'
โ J. Mercado โM. Jurasek 69'
P. Vydra (M. Jurasek) 71'
72' โ H. Oliveira โJ. A. Balanta
72' โ A. Serobyan โZ. Shaghoyan
โ M. Rynes โJ. Zeleny 79'
80' โ Z. Banjaqui โA. Ambartsumyan
80' โ Sandro Lima โA. Eloyan
88' E. Grigoryan
90'+1 K. Muradyan
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Ararat-Armenia
Goalkeepers
Joรฃo Bravim 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Josรฉ Junior 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Bruno Wilson 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Alexandros Malis 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
67%
Duel Win %
Edgar Grigoryan 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Hugo Oliveira
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Karen Muradyan 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Benny
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
Forwards
Artur Serobyan 
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
Sandro Lima
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Zidane Banjaqui
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
BENCH
Arman Nersesyan 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Bruno Pereira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luรญs Felipe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alwyn Tera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maxence Carlier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Armen Ambartsumyan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Juan Balanta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arayik Eloyan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Badou Ndour
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Zhirayr Shaghoyan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Franรงa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sparta Praha
Goalkeepers
Jakub Surovฤรญk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Martin Suchomel
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
70%
Duel Win %
Loรฏc Mbe Soh
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Tobias Guddal 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
8.5
Rating
Matej Rynes
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Adam Karabec
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
28%
Pass Acc
Roman Macek 
MAGNET
68
Activity
68
Activity
59
Passes
9
Duels
H. Sochurek
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
Forwards
John Mercado
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Jonatan Braut Brunes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Josimar Alcocer
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Krisztiรกn Hegyi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
L. Franc
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Pavel Kadeลรกbek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jaroslav Zelenรฝ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Viktor Vitalyos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Santiago Eneme
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matฤj Jurรกsek 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
21
Minutes
7.3
Rating
Patrik Vydra
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
29
Minutes
7.2
Rating
Andy Irving
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ebrima Singhateh
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matyรกลก Vojta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joao Grimaldo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ararat-Armenia
Sparta Praha
Ararat-Armenia
Sparta Praha
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Sparta Praha Demolish Ararat-Armenia Behind Guddal's Heroics
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. An overwhelming display of offensive firepower from the visitors left the hosts chasing shadows in a heavy European defeat.
The Early Siege
The early exchanges at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium quickly turned into a one-sided affair as Sparta Praha flexed their European pedigree. The visitors confidently controlled possession and dictated a frantic pace right out of the gate. Operating with immense Intensity, they pinned the hosts deep in their own half. The breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion when defender Tobias Kvalvagnes Guddal found the back of the net in the 20th minute, finishing a slick sequence involving A. Karabec. Astonishingly, Guddal doubled his tally just two minutes later, effectively silencing the home crowd. This rapid-fire brace set the tone for an exhausting afternoon for the home defense, sparking a relentless barrage that would eventually see 36 combined shots attempted across the pitch, leaving the Armenian side shell-shocked and searching for answers.
Trading Blows
The second half opened with the home side desperately searching for a lifeline, but the Czech giants were merciless on the counter-attack. J. Mercado effectively killed off the contest in the 53rd minute, latching onto a precise pass from J. Alcocer to extend the commanding advantage. Ararat-Armenia did manage to inject a brief moment of joy for the local support when B. R. Wilson Valdez nodded home a delivery from Sandro Lima just two minutes later. While Artur Serobyan valiantly pulled the strings with five key passes to spark a revival, the Balance of power never truly shifted. A suffocating barrage of 13 corners kept Sparta firmly in the driver's seat, erasing any genuine hope of a miraculous comeback.
The Final Nail
With the Stakes of this League Stage opener already secured, the visitors utilized their squad depth to deliver the final blow. Managerial tweaks proved inspired as fresh legs capitalized on tiring defenders. Substitute M. Jurasek instantly made his presence felt, unselfishly setting up fellow substitute P. Vydra in the 71st minute to cap off the 4-1 thrashing. The sheer volume of opportunities createdโhighlighted by 10 shots on target overallโunderscored an exceptional collective performance away from home. For the battered hosts, this heavy defeat serves as a harsh reality check. They must urgently patch up their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to spring any sort of Upset in their upcoming continental fixtures, as their backline simply could not cope with the relentless onslaught.
Key Questions
What made Tobias Kvalvagnes Guddal the Man of the Match?
A quick-fire brace in the 20th and 22nd minutes saw the defender completely dismantle the opposition's game plan early on.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
Relentless attacking intent generated 36 total shots, with Sparta's clinical finishing and overwhelming corner pressure proving decisive.
How did substitute Tobias Kvalvagnes Guddal change the game?
Though starting the match, Guddal's rapid-fire goals in the first half entirely changed the dynamic, rendering any second-half substitutions largely administrative.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
A mountainous test for Ararat-Armenia's European hopes
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 73/100. An underwhelming clash on paper, this opening European fixture lacks the star power to demand your immediate attention.
The Setup
Kicking off their UEFA Europa League campaign on September 16, 2026, Ararat-Armenia welcome Sparta Praha to the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. The opening day of the league stage is crucial for establishing momentum toward that top-8 direct qualification spot, but the underlying numbers point toward a lopsided affair. A poor Form rating indicates neither side is firing on all cylinders defensively, yet the visitors arrive as massive favorites. With a meager Stars metric across the board, do not expect a classic European thriller. However, Sparta's midfield operators, A. Karabec and A. Irving, possess enough quality to dictate the tempo of this match.
Key Battle
With a Balance score hinting at a tactical mismatch, the defining clash will unfold between the home side's deep defensive block and Sparta's creative engine room. The hosts must absorb heavy pressure and rely on swift, direct counter-attacks to bypass the Czech midfield. If the visitors are allowed to dictate the rhythm uninterrupted, their superior squad quality will eventually break down the Armenian resistance.
Our Prediction
Sparta Praha's pedigree will shine through. The hosts will try to keep the game tight and disjointed, but the visitors have too much firepower. Expect a methodical away win, likely 2-0, as Sparta patiently wear down the opposition over the ninety minutes.