Football
2016 European Championship Qualifying, Group Stage 2016
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 AZE
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PA Sport 9y

Rahid Amirguliev's late second goal denies Malta first Group H win

Azerbaijan's two-goal hero Rahid Amirguliev struck an 80th-minute equaliser to deny Malta their first victory in Euro 2016 qualifying group H in Ta' Quali on Sunday.

The 26-year-old midfielder put the visitors ahead in the 36th minute, but the home side, who had failed to score in their previous five competitive games, hit back in the second half.

Michael Mifsud equalised 10 minutes after the re-start before Alfred Effiong put Malta ahead in the 71st minute.

Amirguliev halted the home celebrations when he scored 10 minutes from time to earn his team a point.

The outcome left Azerbaijan fifth in the standings with six points from eight games, while Malta are bottom with just two points to their name.

Azerbaijan had the better start and broke the deadlock after Dimitrij Nazarov's shot was blocked by a Malta defender.

The ball fell to Amirguliyev, who drove home a left-footed shot from 20 yards that took a deflection to beat Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

The hosts pulled level early in the second half when Effiong set up Mifsud just outside the area and his right-footed shot went past Azerbaijan goalkeeper Kamran Arhayev and into the top right corner.

Malta pressed forward and took a deserved lead when Effiong found space in the area and drilled a left-footed shot towards the near post to beat Arhayev.

But Azerbaijan had the last say when Ruslan Gurbanov set up Amirguliyev just outside the area and he fired past Hogg.

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