Armenia beats Macedonia, 4-1

Published Oct. 6, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Armenia boosted their hopes of claiming a top-two finish in Group B after seeing off 10-man Macedonia 4-1 in their Euro 2012 qualifier in Yerevan.

First-half goals Marcos Pizelli and Henrikh Mkhitaryan set Armenia on their way and, after Macedonia had lost Velice Sumulikoski to a red card just after half-time, Gevorg Ghazaryan made it 3-0 in the 69th minute.

Macedonia, who had lost five of their eight matches coming into the clash, pulled a goal back through Vance Sikov in the closing stages but Armenia had the final word when substitute Artur Sarkisov completed the scoring in stoppage time.

The win provisionally lifts Armenia level with Russia at the top of the pool on 17 points and two clear of the Republic of Ireland. Both those sides are in action later tonight.