UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round 1
CSKA Sofia 3 - 2 FT Derry City
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Futmetrix Verdict
72
FT
Tue, Oct 27
Beijing Guoan
2-2
Jeonbuk Motors
⚡ Intensity
50
⚖️ Balance
80
🏆 Stakes
50
🎲 Upset
40
A lead traded, neither blinked
Futmetrix Verdict
93
FT
Tue, Oct 27
Kyoto Sanga
5-2
Newcastle Jets
⚡ Intensity
100
⚖️ Balance
94
🏆 Stakes
50
🎲 Upset
0
Five goals turned Kyoto's two-goal hole
Futmetrix Verdict
91
FT
Mon, Oct 26
Galatasaray
2-1
Fenerbahçe
⚡ Intensity
60
⚖️ Balance
32
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
0
Osimhen's brace settles the Istanbul derby
Match Events
19' I. Pittas (L. Godoy)
L. Boyce (M. Duffy) 31'
41' B. Jordao (S. Sensi)
HT
53' I. Pittas (Pastor)
↓ C. Dummigan ↑N. Twisk 64'
↓ C. Grogan ↑J. Stott 71'
72' ↓ L. Godoy ↑J. Zwarts
72' ↓ I. Solet ↑M. Brahimi
Barry Cotter 75'
↓ R. Slevin ↑J. McClean 83'
85' ↓ S. Sensi ↑A. Piedrahita
J. Olayinka (P. McClean) 88'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
CSKA Sofia
Goalkeepers
F. Lapoukhov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Pastor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Rodriguez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Ivanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Martino
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
P. Panayotov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Jordão
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Sensi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Solet
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
L. Godoy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Pittas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
D. Evtimov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Ouorou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jean-Philippe Gbamin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Yordanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tunchev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Brahimi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Kaymakanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Leo Pereira
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Alejandro Piedrahita
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. B. Chorbadzhiyski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Eto'o
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Zwarts
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Derry City
Goalkeepers
B. Maher
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
C. Barr
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Grogan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. McClean
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Slevin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Dummigan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
B. Cotter
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Olayinka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Duffy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Chapman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
L. Boyce
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
T. Norcott
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Callister
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Stott
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. McClean
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Twisk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Winchester
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Santos
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kelly
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Doherty
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
CSKA Sofia
Derry City
CSKA Sofia
Derry City
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
European Dreams Ignite in Five-Goal Sofia Thriller
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 56/100. A relentless 3-2 shootout turned a typical qualifying round into an unmissable spectacle of tactical contrast.
The Early Siege
The European campaign kicked off with massive Stakes at the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy, where CSKA Sofia immediately imposed their will on Derry City. From the kickoff, the Bulgarian hosts dominated possession, holding 63% of the ball and trapping the Irish visitors deep in their own half. The opening exchanges were defined by unrelenting pressure, as CSKA launched 150 attacks compared to Derry's 80. The home side utilized the width of the pitch to force a succession of set-pieces, accumulating six corners early on. However, Derry City refused to be mere passengers in this UEFA Europa League qualifying tie. Operating strictly on the counter-attack, they absorbed the heavy waves of Bulgarian pressure and waited for the perfect moment to break out.
The Efficiency Clash
Despite the possession disparity, the Balance of the match was constantly on a knife-edge due to Derry's ruthless efficiency. The visitors managed only five total shots across the ninety minutes, but their clinical edge was frightening—putting three on target and converting two into goals. This incredible conversion rate threw a wrench into CSKA's game plan, forcing them to crank up the Intensity just to stay afloat. The hosts responded with sheer volume, bombarding the Derry penalty area with 13 total shots. A combined 11 corners between the two sides highlighted a physical, aerial battle that kept the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy crowd entirely on their feet. The turning point arrived when CSKA’s sheer attacking persistence finally cracked the stubborn Irish low block.
A Slender Advantage
The 3-2 scoreline perfectly reflects a chaotic thriller where neither side was willing to compromise their European ambitions. The high Stakes of knockout qualifying were evident until the final whistle, with CSKA Sofia desperately defending their slender one-goal advantage while Derry City pushed for a dramatic late equalizer. Ultimately, the hosts’ overwhelming possession and territorial dominance paid off, securing a vital first-leg victory. Yet, the visitors will return to Northern Ireland knowing their lethal counter-attacking efficiency gives them a genuine lifeline in the tie, introducing a massive Upset factor for the return leg. This first qualifying round encounter delivered everything you could want from European football: tactical contrast, clinical finishing, and high-wire drama.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
A dramatic clash of styles: CSKA Sofia's relentless attacking volume and 63% possession met Derry City's ruthless counter-attacking efficiency, resulting in a chaotic 3-2 shootout.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Heavy Mismatch Awaits in Sofia
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. An overwhelming gap in quality means this opening qualifying round tie offers little drama for the neutral observer.
The Setup
The CSKA Sofia faithful will expect a routine victory at the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy on July 09, 2026. This UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round tie pits heavy Bulgarian favorites against a Derry City side hoping for a miracle. The sheer lack of competitive Balance gives this tie a highly predictable feel. A modest Stakes rating reflects the early nature of the competition, where survival matters heavily to the clubs but barely registers on the wider European radar. Furthermore, a low Stars rating indicates the absence of marquee names to draw neutral interest, while both teams' recent Form is largely irrelevant against the immense disparity in squad depth.
Key Battle
The defining tactical clash will see the dominant home midfield attempting to pick the lock against a deeply entrenched away back line. The visitors will have no choice but to sit deep, absorb intense pressure, and pray their defensive unit can hold firm against wave after wave of Bulgarian attacks. If the visiting rearguard cracks early, the floodgates could easily open.
Our Prediction
Our verdict is a comfortable, one-sided victory for the hosts. Expect the home side to dictate possession from the opening whistle, suffocating the visitors and methodically breaking down their low block. A heavy multi-goal win seems inevitable as the match wears on.