Andorra Women Eliminated from Nations League Qualifiers After 2-0 Loss to Azerbaijan

Andorra's women's national football team lost 2-0 to Azerbaijan in the return leg of their Women's Nations League qualifier at Baku's Alinja Stadium on Saturday, confirming the visitors' elimination from Group K of League C with one point from an earlier draw against Hungary.

Acar opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute, putting Andorra on the back foot despite an organized start under captain Tere Morató. The Andorrans pushed for a response but failed to level before the break. Coach Albert Panadero brought on Emma Duró and Olga Sabio shortly after halftime to inject energy, yet Esra Manya doubled the lead in the 64th minute, heading home a right-wing cross after Alba Martín rushed out.

This result followed Azerbaijan's 3-1 first-leg victory at Estadi Nacional on Tuesday, where Morató had headed Andorra ahead from a short corner by Èlia Quílez in the 11th or 12th minute. Sevinj Jafarzade equalized with a long-range strike off the crossbar, converted a penalty after Laia Solé fouled Manya, and Manya added a late third before 353 spectators.

Ahead of the Baku clash, Panadero had predicted a similar matchup, with Azerbaijan controlling possession and exploiting spaces behind the defense. He planned tactical adjustments to curb central passes, stressed effective transitions—"as we managed in the first half's opening minutes"—and praised set-piece improvements. "We need to avoid Tuesday's errors and compete fully," he said, noting positive team vibes: "We're on the right track and can now take on any opponent."

Notably, none of the six players at risk of suspension—Maria da Cruz, Paula da Silva, Clàudia Plaja, Neus Rosas, Cristina Lacour, and Olga Sabio, plus the unavailable Chloe Izquierdo—picked up yellow cards, keeping them available for the June 5 home fixture against North Macedonia at Estadi Nacional. Hungary visit four days later on June 9.

Azerbaijan lineup: Sharifova (Aliyeva 74’); Acar (J. Aliyeva 88’), Mahsimova, Bozdag (Jafarova 79’), Hajiyeva; Mirzaliyeva, Mollayeva, D. Mammadova; Jafarzade, Esra Manya (Nahmadova 79’), Bakarandze (Muradova 73’).

Andorra lineup: Alba Martín (Joana Babot 84’); Laia Solé, Paula da Silva, Maria DC (Maria Moles 81’), Ari Gonçalves, Neus Rosas; Ari Pernia (Olga Sabio 58’), Clàudia Plaja (Emma Duró 58’), Èlia Quilez (Gemma Lluch 81’), Maria Ruzafa, Tere Morató.

Referee: Vesna Miletić (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Yellow cards: Mahsimova (Azerbaijan).