KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan (Interstat) — Mingachevir scored the only goal of the match and defeated Khankendi 1-0 on Wednesday in a global football game. The visitors broke through in the 63rd minute when Khalil Bashirov finished the decisive chance. Khankendi, playing at home, pushed for a response over the final half-hour but could not find an equalizer. Mingachevir protected its narrow lead through the closing stages and secured the win. The match remained scoreless until Bashirov’s second-half strike changed the result.

Bashirov was on the field for the full 90 minutes, and his goal stood as the difference. The scoreline reflected a match in which Khankendi had the home advantage but could not convert its chances. Mingachevir made the decisive moment count and kept Khankendi off the scoresheet. The visitors’ defensive work held firm after the goal as Khankendi increased pressure. Mingachevir’s back line dealt with the late threat and preserved the clean sheet.

Both teams came into the match with three competition appearances this season. Khankendi had opened with a draw and a win, while Mingachevir had opened with two losses. The home side looked to extend that unbeaten start, and the visitors sought their first competition win. The match was decided by the single goal in the second half. The records after the final whistle left Khankendi on one win, one loss and one draw, while Mingachevir moved to one win and two losses.

Mingachevir’s season record in this competition is now 1-2. Its record across all competitions is also 1-2. Khankendi’s record in this competition is now 1-1-1, and its record across all competitions is also 1-1-1. The result gave Mingachevir its first win in this competition this season, while Khankendi missed the chance to build on its previous results. Mingachevir used the victory to move past the disappointment of its earlier matches in the competition.

Mingachevir had entered the match after a 4-1 home loss to Shimal and a 3-0 loss at MOIK Baku in previous competition play. Khankendi came in after a 1-0 home win over Sahdag Qusar and a 1-1 draw at Shimal. Those results made for contrasting recent form, but the game turned on Bashirov’s second-half finish. Khankendi had been seeking another positive result at home but was left to chase the game after the 63rd minute. Mingachevir, meanwhile, found the response it needed after earlier setbacks.

The opening half produced no goals, with both sides working through midfield and looking for an opening. Khankendi held more of the ball in spells, while Mingachevir looked to counter. The decisive sequence came after the break when Bashirov found space and finished for the only goal. Khankendi’s late efforts did not produce a breakthrough, and Mingachevir saw out the remaining minutes. The visitors managed the closing period without conceding and took the win.

Khankendi’s home support saw an energetic contest but no goals from the home side. Mingachevir’s goal came in the second half and proved enough for the victory. The visitors did not need a second goal as they held their shape and limited Khankendi’s clearest chances. Khankendi continued to press late, but the final whistle confirmed a narrow road victory for Mingachevir. Mingachevir kept its composure in the final moments. The result added another tight chapter to the teams’ early-season competition schedule.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Khankendi 2, Mingachevir 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Khankendi with a 72.6 percent probability to win. Khankendi had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2.5. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 3.5.