Analysis The numbers behind the result
Lithuania edge Azerbaijan in tight Nations League stalemate
The 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of a balanced encounter, with both sides finishing with identical shot totals (9) and near-equal possession (51%-49% in Lithuania's favour). The xG figures - missing from the data - would likely tell a similar story, as Azerbaijan's marginally superior shot quality (4 shots on target vs Lithuania's 3, and 7 shots inside the box vs Lithuania's 4) was offset by Lithuania's penalty conversion via Kučys in the 9th minute.
Both goals came in a frantic opening 15 minutes, with Kučys' early spot-kick cancelled out by Mahir Emreli's finish from Tellur Mutallimov's assist. Azerbaijan's disciplicinary issues (3 yellow cards to Lithuania's 1) hinted at a more aggressive approach, but neither side could fashion a winner despite 10 combined substitutions in the second half. The decisive stat was Lithuania's lack of threat from set-pieces (0 corners to Azerbaijan's 2), which cost them the chance to turn territorial advantage into clear chances.