Alexander Petrakov, the head coach of the Armenian national team, spoke openly about the private talk he had with his players and with Lokomotiv Moscow defender Nair Tiknizyan after an own goal he conceded in the match against Wales. The moment stood out not for the misstep alone but for how the team processed it as a learning point rather than a setback. Petrakov shared that Tiknizyan approached him with a candid remark about a parallel incident from the past, noting, “Vasilich, Yarmolenko had an own goal in Ukraine. Now I scored an own goal.”
In response, Petrakov offered a clear and compassionate perspective. He told the defender that comparing one moment to another does not help anyone. There was no blame laid at Tiknizyan’s feet. The coach emphasized that the opponent who forced the own goal did not intend harm, and neither did Tiknizyan. He reassured the player that there were no personal grievances and that his confidence in him remained intact.
Speaking to reporters, Petrakov rejected the notion of luck as a factor in the incident. He framed the moment as part of the ongoing craft of football—the result of practice, preparation, and decision making under pressure. The coach insisted that there is a standard of accountability and growth that must accompany every error, and he held himself to that same standard as well. He described the incident as a reminder of the discipline required at the highest level and expressed a sense of personal offense at the lapse, even as he supported his player through the aftermath.
On November 18, Armenia faced Wales in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. That result left Armenia with a dwindling path to qualification for the 2024 European Championship finals. After the game, the Armenian side found itself in a precarious position, watching as their opportunities to advance continued to decline.
Entering the final phase of the qualifying campaign, the Armenian team earned eight points from their matches and stood near the bottom of their group standings. With only one game left, they prepared to travel to face Croatia on November 21 in a last-ditch effort to salvage their campaign. Croatia, already positioned for automatic advancement, would take the field with its own clear objective, while Türkiye had secured a spot beyond reach for the Armenian squad, effectively closing that door on Armenia’s chances in this cycle.
The broader context of the European qualifiers was highlighted by a notable record in which the French national team, previously known for its offensive prowess, set or approached a benchmark in the history of the tournament’s goal tally in a single qualifying match. The achievement underscored the scale of competition in the European Championship framework and the evolving dynamics of national teams as they navigate the demanding landscape of continental soccer.