Azerbaijan Women secured a commanding 3-1 victory over North Macedonia in Bitola, a result built on a ruthless first-half attacking display that effectively decided the contest within the opening 37 minutes. The Lemeister model had rated Azerbaijan as narrow favourites with a 46 per cent win probability, and the team justified that billing by scoring three times before the interval, despite North Macedonia equalising swiftly after the visitors' early opener.
The scoring began in the eighth minute when K. Bakarandze put Azerbaijan ahead with a normal goal. North Macedonia responded impressively, levelling three minutes later through H. Mustafa, who was assisted by B. Petkova. That response proved short-lived, however, as Azerbaijan regained control. M. Mollayeva scored in the 28th minute, with Bakarandze providing the assist, before N. Mirzaliyeva added a third goal in the 37th minute, also a normal goal, to give the visitors a commanding 3-1 lead at the break.
The first half was decisive. Azerbaijan's three goals demonstrated clinical finishing from their opportunities, while North Macedonia, despite finding an early equaliser, could not sustain their momentum beyond the 11th minute. The timing of the goals is particularly telling: Azerbaijan scored in the 8th, 28th and 37th minutes, suggesting sustained pressure and an ability to create chances at regular intervals. North Macedonia's single goal in the 11th minute came immediately after falling behind, but they were unable to replicate that response after either of Azerbaijan's subsequent strikes.
The second half saw the game become more fractured, reflected in the card count. Four yellow cards were issued, three of them to Azerbaijan players. K. Bakarandze received a yellow in the 48th minute, A. Sharifova followed in the 51st minute, and S. Jafarzade was booked in the 72nd minute. For North Macedonia, T. Galabovska was cautioned in the 54th minute. The five substitutions made by each side further broke up any rhythm, with both teams making full use of their allotted changes after the interval.
With the statistical data for the match incomplete, it is impossible to give a detailed breakdown of possession, shots, expected goals or passing accuracy. However, the scoreline and the timing of the goals tell a clear story. Azerbaijan's frontline, led by the scoring contributions of Bakarandze, Mollayeva and Mirzaliyeva, was far more effective in the final third than North Macedonia's. Bakarandze's influence was particularly notable: she scored the opening goal, provided the assist for Mollayeva's strike, and completed a full attacking contribution before receiving a yellow card early in the second half.
For North Macedonia, the goal from Mustafa provided a brief moment of parity, but the defence was unable to withstand Azerbaijan's pressure after that point. The home side struggled to create further clear-cut chances after the equaliser, and the visitors' three-goal burst effectively settled the contest before the hour mark. The absence of detailed passing or shot data prevents a deeper analysis of midfield control, but Azerbaijan's finishing was clearly the decisive factor in the outcome.
This result strengthens Azerbaijan's position in the group, keeping them firmly in contention for a top qualifying spot. The three points, secured away from home, will provide considerable confidence for the squad as the campaign progresses. For North Macedonia, the defeat leaves them with significant work to do in their remaining group matches, having been unable to capitalise on their early response to going behind. The focus for the home side will now be on tightening a defence that conceded three times in the opening 37 minutes, a vulnerability that proved costly against an Azerbaijan side that took its chances efficiently.
