Azerbaijan vs Belgium

High-flying Belgium head to Baku’s Dalga Arena to encounter Euro 2024 qualifying Group F underachievers Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s pursuit of a first-ever major international tournament qualification since the dissolution of the Soviet Union toward the end of the 20th century already looks like a pipe dream. Heading into September’s international break as one of only six nations to have conceded 10+ goals in the ongoing Euro 2024 qualifying cycle. But it’s worth noting that nine of those ten goals have come away from home in thumping defeats to Austria (4-1) and Sweden (5-0). They held fellow Group F minnows Estonia to a 1-1 home draw last time out, making it three consecutive home outings without a loss (W2, D1). Nonetheless, manager Gianni De Biasi will need a miracle to extend that run against Belgium, even though Azerbaijan eked out a 1-1 draw in their most recent H2H on home turf.

Before that underwhelming result in September 2011, Belgium had won all three previous meetings with Azerbaijan via a combined score of 8-1! New boss Domenico Tedesco has hit the ground running from the early days of his regime, overseeing three wins in four internationals since replacing Roberto Martinez (D1). Both Belgium’s away Euro qualifiers under the ex-RB Leipzig manager have yielded identical 3-0 victories, sandwiching a gut-wrenching 1-1 home draw against section-toppers Austria. However, ‘Die Rode Duivels’ are in pole position to secure a place at a third consecutive European Championship as they commence this round four points clear of closest followers, Sweden.