Lithuania 1-1 Azerbaijan: Emreli stands out
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27 Sept 2026Lithuania 1-1 Azerbaijan: Emreli stands out
Lithuania 1-1 Azerbaijan: Emreli stands out in Kaunas
Lithuania and Azerbaijan shared the points in Kaunas with a 1-1 draw in UEFA Nations League League D, Group 2. Both goals landed inside the opening 15 minutes, then the game settled into a well-balanced tactical contest. The numbers point to a slight Lithuanian edge in xG and duels, while Azerbaijan leaned on crossing and a standout shift from Mahir Emreli. On Sofascore, Emreli posted the game’s top mark and was central to the visitors’ equalizer.
Sofascore covers all the match stats, xG and Sofascore Rating in one place, and this one had plenty to unpack.
Fast start, then a strategic stalemate
Lithuania struck first on nine minutes. Armandas Kučys converted a penalty won by Gvidas Gineitis, a high-probability chance that carried 0.788 xG and 0.992 xGOT. That fast start was matched by Azerbaijan five minutes later. Mahir Emreli finished from a Tellur Mutallimov assist with a left-footed effort worth 0.109 xG. The equalizer arrived low and central, and it calmed the game down after a brisk opening.
From there, Lithuania’s shape in a 3-4-3 met Azerbaijan’s 5-4-1 and produced a measured chess match. Lithuania led first-half xG 0.96 to 0.30, yet the halftime score stayed 1-1. The card count also tilted to the visitors before the break with bookings for Rahil Mammadov and Mutallimov, followed by Aleksey Isayev after halftime and Gineitis for Lithuania. Both benches tried to tilt it late with attacking changes, but neither side found a winner. The Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas crowd saw chances at both ends without a decisive moment in the second half.
The numbers behind 1-1
Across 90 minutes, total shots finished level at 9-9, though Azerbaijan put more on target at 4-3. Lithuania’s shot quality was higher, leading xG 1.16 to 0.85 and xG on target 1.03 to 0.28. Lithuania also created both of the match’s big chances, scoring one and missing one, while Azerbaijan registered none. That production reflects the hosts’ stronger central presence and more successful dribbles.
Set-piece and entry data shows two different routes to goal. Lithuania had 49 final-third entries to Azerbaijan’s 42, coupled with a clear advantage in long-ball accuracy at 33 of 68 completed, or 49 percent. Azerbaijan replied with greater crossing threat, completing 5 of 14 crosses compared to Lithuania’s 2 of 10. Corners leaned to the visitors as well at 2-0, another sign of Azerbaijan’s wider progression late on.
Possession barely separated the teams at 51 to 49 in Lithuania’s favour, and pass totals were almost identical at 432 to 418. Azerbaijan’s final-third completion rate was sharper at 61 percent to Lithuania’s 52 percent. That said, the average Sofascore Rating told a familiar story: Lithuania at 6.97 versus 6.61 for Azerbaijan, a nod to the hosts’ territorial edge and duel dominance. Both sides had 61 ball recoveries, which underlined how even the out-of-possession work was.
Duels, defending and goalkeeping
Lithuania owned the duels at 55 percent and dominated in the air, winning 22 of 32 aerials for 69 percent. Ground duels split 41 of 82 for each team, but Lithuania’s dribble success was superior at 9 of 16, or 56 percent. Azerbaijan completed 5 of 17 dribbles, just 29 percent. These patterns explain why Lithuania spent longer in advantageous zones even as the final score stayed level.
Defensively, Lithuania won 89 percent of their tackles, a big gap over Azerbaijan’s 43 percent despite the visitors making more tackles overall at 23 to 18. Interceptions were close at 7 to 6 for the hosts, and clearances finished 19 to 17. An important turning point came via a home mistake. Lithuania committed the only error leading to a goal, and their goalkeeper’s goals prevented figure sat at -0.72. Emil Balayev’s number for Azerbaijan was slightly positive at 0.03, and he finished with two saves to Džiugas Bartkus’s three. Lithuania were also more frequently dispossessed at 16 to 6, a byproduct of their more ambitious ball carrying under pressure.
MVP spotlight: Mahir Emreli’s all-rounder show
Mahir Emreli delivered a complete performance and earned a Sofascore Rating of 8.2, the highest on the pitch. He scored the equalizer, took two shots and added two key passes to keep Lithuania’s back line honest. On the ball, he completed 23 of 30 passes, including a precise cross, and he carried the ball 22 times while driving play forward consistently.
Emreli won nine duels, including three in the air, and drew four fouls in useful areas for Azerbaijan. His touches were efficient, he was dispossessed only once and he chipped in a tackle and two ball recoveries. The blend of goal threat, ball progression and off-ball graft gave Azerbaijan stability in transitions and helped tilt second-half territory. On a night of tight margins, that all-round impact made him the standout.
Lithuania’s top contributors and what shaped the draw
For the hosts, captain Justas Lasickas led by example with a 7.5 Sofascore Rating. He won all five of his tackles, produced one key pass, and came out on top in 11 duels while adding three interceptions and three clearances. Edgaras Utkus was right behind at 7.4, winning 13 duels with five aerial wins, making four tackles and four clearances, and blocking a shot. Both were key to keeping Azerbaijan at bay once the game slowed.
Gvidas Gineitis posted 7.3 and drove Lithuania forward with 74 touches and a penalty won, while registering three shots and a key pass. Armandas Kučys converted the spot-kick with conviction, his chance carrying 0.808 xG and 0.992 xGOT. On the other side, Abdulakh Khaybulaev quietly logged a strong 7.3 with 48 of 51 passes completed, eight tackles and seven recoveries to stabilise Azerbaijan’s midfield. In the end, Lithuania’s aerial and duel control met Azerbaijan’s crossing and Emreli’s quality, and one goal each felt about right.
Player of the Match
By Sofascore Rating, the best player was Mahir Emreli on 8.2. The fans agreed, selecting Emreli with 1365 votes out of 1622 total. In this match, the rating and the supporters pointed to the same star.
UEFA Nations League
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Lithuania 1-1 Azerbaijan: Emreli stands out in Kaunas
Lithuania and Azerbaijan shared the points in Kaunas with a 1-1 draw in UEFA Nations League League D, Group 2. Both goals landed inside the opening 15 minutes, then the game settled into a well-balanced tactical contest. The numbers point to a slight Lithuanian edge in xG and duels, while Azerbaijan leaned on crossing and a standout shift from Mahir Emreli. On Sofascore, Emreli posted the game’s top mark and was central to the visitors’ equalizer.
Sofascore covers all the match stats, xG and Sofascore Rating in one place, and this one had plenty to unpack.
Fast start, then a strategic stalemate
Lithuania struck first on nine minutes. Armandas Kučys converted a penalty won by Gvidas Gineitis, a high-probability chance that carried 0.788 xG and 0.992 xGOT. That fast start was matched by Azerbaijan five minutes later. Mahir Emreli finished from a Tellur Mutallimov assist with a left-footed effort worth 0.109 xG. The equalizer arrived low and central, and it calmed the game down after a brisk opening.
From there, Lithuania’s shape in a 3-4-3 met Azerbaijan’s 5-4-1 and produced a measured chess match. Lithuania led first-half xG 0.96 to 0.30, yet the halftime score stayed 1-1. The card count also tilted to the visitors before the break with bookings for Rahil Mammadov and Mutallimov, followed by Aleksey Isayev after halftime and Gineitis for Lithuania. Both benches tried to tilt it late with attacking changes, but neither side found a winner. The Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas crowd saw chances at both ends without a decisive moment in the second half.
The numbers behind 1-1
Across 90 minutes, total shots finished level at 9-9, though Azerbaijan put more on target at 4-3. Lithuania’s shot quality was higher, leading xG 1.16 to 0.85 and xG on target 1.03 to 0.28. Lithuania also created both of the match’s big chances, scoring one and missing one, while Azerbaijan registered none. That production reflects the hosts’ stronger central presence and more successful dribbles.
Set-piece and entry data shows two different routes to goal. Lithuania had 49 final-third entries to Azerbaijan’s 42, coupled with a clear advantage in long-ball accuracy at 33 of 68 completed, or 49 percent. Azerbaijan replied with greater crossing threat, completing 5 of 14 crosses compared to Lithuania’s 2 of 10. Corners leaned to the visitors as well at 2-0, another sign of Azerbaijan’s wider progression late on.
Possession barely separated the teams at 51 to 49 in Lithuania’s favour, and pass totals were almost identical at 432 to 418. Azerbaijan’s final-third completion rate was sharper at 61 percent to Lithuania’s 52 percent. That said, the average Sofascore Rating told a familiar story: Lithuania at 6.97 versus 6.61 for Azerbaijan, a nod to the hosts’ territorial edge and duel dominance. Both sides had 61 ball recoveries, which underlined how even the out-of-possession work was.
Duels, defending and goalkeeping
Lithuania owned the duels at 55 percent and dominated in the air, winning 22 of 32 aerials for 69 percent. Ground duels split 41 of 82 for each team, but Lithuania’s dribble success was superior at 9 of 16, or 56 percent. Azerbaijan completed 5 of 17 dribbles, just 29 percent. These patterns explain why Lithuania spent longer in advantageous zones even as the final score stayed level.
Defensively, Lithuania won 89 percent of their tackles, a big gap over Azerbaijan’s 43 percent despite the visitors making more tackles overall at 23 to 18. Interceptions were close at 7 to 6 for the hosts, and clearances finished 19 to 17. An important turning point came via a home mistake. Lithuania committed the only error leading to a goal, and their goalkeeper’s goals prevented figure sat at -0.72. Emil Balayev’s number for Azerbaijan was slightly positive at 0.03, and he finished with two saves to Džiugas Bartkus’s three. Lithuania were also more frequently dispossessed at 16 to 6, a byproduct of their more ambitious ball carrying under pressure.
MVP spotlight: Mahir Emreli’s all-rounder show
Mahir Emreli delivered a complete performance and earned a Sofascore Rating of 8.2, the highest on the pitch. He scored the equalizer, took two shots and added two key passes to keep Lithuania’s back line honest. On the ball, he completed 23 of 30 passes, including a precise cross, and he carried the ball 22 times while driving play forward consistently.
Emreli won nine duels, including three in the air, and drew four fouls in useful areas for Azerbaijan. His touches were efficient, he was dispossessed only once and he chipped in a tackle and two ball recoveries. The blend of goal threat, ball progression and off-ball graft gave Azerbaijan stability in transitions and helped tilt second-half territory. On a night of tight margins, that all-round impact made him the standout.
Lithuania’s top contributors and what shaped the draw
For the hosts, captain Justas Lasickas led by example with a 7.5 Sofascore Rating. He won all five of his tackles, produced one key pass, and came out on top in 11 duels while adding three interceptions and three clearances. Edgaras Utkus was right behind at 7.4, winning 13 duels with five aerial wins, making four tackles and four clearances, and blocking a shot. Both were key to keeping Azerbaijan at bay once the game slowed.
Gvidas Gineitis posted 7.3 and drove Lithuania forward with 74 touches and a penalty won, while registering three shots and a key pass. Armandas Kučys converted the spot-kick with conviction, his chance carrying 0.808 xG and 0.992 xGOT. On the other side, Abdulakh Khaybulaev quietly logged a strong 7.3 with 48 of 51 passes completed, eight tackles and seven recoveries to stabilise Azerbaijan’s midfield. In the end, Lithuania’s aerial and duel control met Azerbaijan’s crossing and Emreli’s quality, and one goal each felt about right.
Player of the Match
By Sofascore Rating, the best player was Mahir Emreli on 8.2. The fans agreed, selecting Emreli with 1365 votes out of 1622 total. In this match, the rating and the supporters pointed to the same star.