Yassine Benzia played a decisive, if somewhat fortunate, role in helping Qarabag FK overturn a first-leg deficit to defeat Araz 3-0 and secure their place in the Azerbaijan Cup final.
Needing to recover from a 1-0 loss in the semi-final’s opening leg, the Azerbaijani champions had to win by at least two goals on home turf to keep their hopes of a domestic double alive.
The first half offered little in the way of comfort for Qarabag, as Araz posed a persistent threat and created several nervy moments. Despite their dominance in possession, the hosts failed to find the breakthrough, and the tie remained delicately poised at the interval.
Algerian international Benzia, who had found the net via a penalty at the weekend, found himself at the centre of both controversy and celebration in this crucial encounter.
Early in the game, he was lucky to remain on the pitch after a rash challenge saw him leave his studs on an opponent’s foot. The incident sparked frustration among the visiting players, but the referee opted not to brandish a red card.
The second half, however, saw Benzia redeem himself, albeit in unexpected fashion. In the 65th minute, following a smart play down the flank by Kady Borges, the ball was pulled back into the path of Benzia just outside the box.
The 29-year-old shaped to shoot with his right foot, but in an awkward motion, the ball ricocheted off his left boot, wrong-footing the Araz goalkeeper and trickling into the net.
Though not the cleanest of finishes, it gave Qarabag the goal they desperately needed to level the tie.
That stroke of luck seemed to invigorate the home side, and momentum quickly shifted in their favour. Qarabag, buoyed by the opener, pressed higher and more aggressively.
Their second goal came just minutes later, capping off a well-worked team move that split the Araz defence open. The third arrived in the final stretch of the match, putting the result beyond doubt and ensuring that the aggregate score tilted 3-1 in their favour.
Benzia, who joined Qarabag after spells in France and Turkey, has now scored in back-to-back matches and is starting to carve out a critical role in the team’s cup campaign.
His ability to make an impact, even under pressure, was instrumental in turning the tie around, as Qarabag continue their march toward a potential double.
The final will see Qarabag take on Sabah, a side that has also impressed throughout the tournament. With the league title already secured, the Baku-based club will now have their eyes firmly set on lifting the domestic cup and closing the season on a historic high.
For Benzia and Qarabag, Wednesday night’s victory was not only about goals, lucky or otherwise, but about resilience, response to adversity, and seizing the big moments.
As the cup final approaches, they will hope that their form and fortune hold steady.
