Estonia vs Azerbaijan: Estonia Secures a 3-1 Win in UEFA Nations League Match
In a thrilling encounter, Estonia showcased their determination and grit as they outclassed Azerbaijan 3-1 in Tallinn during the UEFA Nations League League C Round 3 match on October 11, 2024.
This win solidified Estonia’s position in the group, much to the delight of their home fans. The game had all the makings of an exciting fixture, with drama, goals, and tactical battles that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match, highlighting the key moments, strengths, and weaknesses of both teams.
First Half: Estonia Takes Control Early
The game kicked off with both teams showing great intent, but it was Estonia who quickly found their rhythm. They looked sharp in possession, with quick, incisive passing moves that troubled the Azerbaijan defense early on. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, seemed to struggle to keep up with the tempo, allowing Estonia to control much of the first half.
In the 32nd minute, Estonia’s Ioan Yakovlev broke the deadlock in style. Weaving through the Azerbaijan defense with impressive footwork, Yakovlev found himself one-on-one with the keeper. With a well-executed dummy, he left the goalkeeper stranded and calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0 for Estonia. It was a moment of individual brilliance that gave Estonia the momentum they needed.
However, Azerbaijan fought back, showing flashes of quality. In the 45th minute, a moment of hope came when they were awarded a penalty. Toral Bayramov stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, sending Karl Hein the wrong way to level the score at 1-1 just before halftime. The visitors’ resilience was commendable, but their defense continued to struggle against Estonia’s relentless pressure.
But just as it looked like the teams would head into the break on level terms, Estonia struck again in stoppage time. A brilliant cross from Rocco Robert Shein found Vlasiy Sinyavskiy, who made no mistake, finishing with precision to restore Estonia’s lead at 2-1 going into the break.
Second Half: Estonia Secures the Win
The second half saw Azerbaijan attempting to mount a comeback. With 67% of possession throughout the game, they dominated the ball but were unable to convert that into meaningful chances. They made early substitutions in the second half, hoping that fresh legs would turn the tide. Fernando Santos brought on Mahir Emreli and Ceyhun Nuriyev to add more attacking firepower, but Estonia’s defense stood firm.
Estonia, on the other hand, remained disciplined and focused on their game plan. Their high pressing forced Azerbaijan into mistakes, and it was from one of these mistakes that Estonia extended their lead. In the 71st minute, Rocco Robert Shein once again made a huge impact.
After skipping past several defenders, he unleashed a powerful low drive from the edge of the box that beat the diving goalkeeper and nestled into the bottom left corner, sealing the match for Estonia at 3-1.
Azerbaijan did manage to create a few chances, with Ramil Sheydayev’s shot in the 69th minute forcing a save from Karl Hein, but it wasn’t enough. Estonia’s defense, led by Rasmus Peetson and the experienced Karl Hein, held firm to protect their lead.
As the game drew to a close, Estonia made further substitutions to see out the match, and despite Azerbaijan’s best efforts, they couldn’t find a way back into the contest.
Key Positives and Negatives of Each Team
Estonia’s Positives:
1. Clinical Finishing: Estonia took their chances well, particularly Yakovlev’s composed finish and Shein’s stunning third goal. Their ability to make the most of their opportunities was the difference-maker.
2. Defensive Solidity: Despite Azerbaijan’s dominance in possession, Estonia’s defense stood tall. The backline, marshaled by Karl Hein and Rasmus Peetson, did well to limit Azerbaijan to long-range efforts for much of the game.
3. Midfield Work Rate: Estonia’s midfield, led by Rocco Robert Shein, was tireless. They pressed effectively, broke up Azerbaijan’s play, and played a key role in transitioning from defense to attack.
Estonia’s Negatives:
1. Lack of Ball Possession: While Estonia were effective when they had the ball, they only managed 33% possession. Against stronger teams, they may struggle if they cannot improve their ability to control the game.
2. Injuries: Maksim Paskotsi’s early injury was a setback for Estonia, and while his replacement, Rasmus Peetson, performed well, such disruptions could pose problems in future matches.
Azerbaijan’s Positives:
1. Dominance in Possession: Azerbaijan dominated the ball with 67% possession and completed 537 passes compared to Estonia’s 233. This suggests they have the potential to control games, but they need to be more effective in turning possession into goals.
2. Toral Bayramov’s Penalty: Bayramov showed composure and confidence to convert his penalty and bring Azerbaijan back into the game momentarily. His leadership on the field was evident.
Azerbaijan’s Negatives:
1. Lack of Cutting Edge in Attack: Despite their dominance in possession, Azerbaijan struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their 15 goal attempts yielded only one goal, which came from the penalty spot. They need to be more clinical in the final third.
2. Defensive Frailty: Azerbaijan’s defense looked vulnerable throughout the match, particularly when dealing with Estonia’s quick transitions. They conceded three goals, and the marking during key moments, such as Estonia’s second and third goals, was poor.
3. Indiscipline: The number of fouls committed by Azerbaijan (18 fouls) compared to Estonia (3 fouls) highlights their struggles in coping with Estonia’s quick play. This led to them conceding dangerous free-kicks and losing momentum at crucial moments.
Conclusion
Estonia’s 3-1 win over Azerbaijan was a well-deserved victory that highlighted their clinical finishing and defensive resilience. While Azerbaijan showed glimpses of promise, particularly with their dominance in possession, they were ultimately undone by a lack of cutting edge in attack and defensive lapses.
For Estonia, the victory puts them in a strong position in the group, and their performance will give them confidence heading into the next match. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their possession into goals if they are to improve their fortunes in the UEFA Nations League.
Match Stats Summary:
Ball Possession: Estonia 33%, Azerbaijan 67%
Shots on Goal: Estonia 4, Azerbaijan 5
Shots off Goal: Estonia 4, Azerbaijan 5
Fouls: Estonia 3, Azerbaijan 18
Yellow Cards: Estonia 2, Azerbaijan 0
Expected Goals (xG): Estonia 1.62, Azerbaijan 1.73
