UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round 2
CSKA Sofia 0 - 0 PEN 5-4 Qarabag
Match Events
39' B. Jordao
HT
48' L. Godoy
M. Jankovic 50'
B. Varkonyi 55'
↓ Kady Borges ↑R. Cephas 70'
71' ↓ B. Jordao ↑J. Eto'o
74' J. Eto'o
↓ E. Cafarquliyev ↑B. Langa 82'
↓ O. Kashchuk ↑J. Mouaddib 82'
↓ B. Huseynov ↑C. Makreckis 82'
89' ↓ L. Godoy ↑J. Zwarts
↓ A. Zoubir ↑J. Montiel 90'+2
95' A. Martino
99' ↓ A. Martino ↑M. Brahimi
↓ Z. Sawo ↑M. Qurbanly 100'
105'+3 T. Ivanov
J. Montiel 106'
112' J. Zwarts
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
CSKA Sofia
Goalkeepers
Fedor Lapoukhov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Pastor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Teodor Ivanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Facundo Rodríguez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ángelo Martino
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jean-Philippe Gbamin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
Max Ebong
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Stefano Sensi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Jordão
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Ioannis Pittas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Leandro Godoy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
Dimitar Evtimov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Andrey Yordanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Aleks Tunchev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
James Eto'o
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mohamed Amine Brahimi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Petko Panayotov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Vasil Kaymakanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Léo Pereira
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Alejandro Piedrahita
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Georgi Chorbadzhiyski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Isaac Solet
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Joël Zwarts
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Qarabag
Goalkeepers
Mateusz Kochalski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Matheus Silva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bədavi Hüseynov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bence Várkonyi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Elvin Cafarquliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
Pedro Bicalho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Marko Janković
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Olexiy Kashchuk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Kady Borges
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Abdellah Zoubir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Zakaria Sawo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
Shakhrudin Magomedaliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Martin Zlomislić
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Langa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bahlul Mustafazada
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jaly Mouaddib
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Cebrail Makreckis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Joni Montiel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Hikmat Jabrayilzade
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ali Bashirov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Renaldo Cephas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Musa Qurbanlı
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/23/2026 | Qarabag | 0 - 0 | CSKA Sofia | UEFA Europa League | Azərsun Arena |
| 07/04/2023 | CSKA Sofia | 0 - 1 | Qarabag | Friendlies Clubs | |
| 07/07/2021 | CSKA Sofia | 0 - 1 | Qarabag | Friendlies Clubs | Kunstrasenplatz TSV Fulpmes |
07/23/2026
07/04/2023
07/07/2021
CSKA Sofia Win
Qarabag Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
A Grinding Stalemate Settled From the Spot
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 19/100. A gruelling, scoreless slugfest exploded into a dramatic shootout where CSKA Sofia finally secured their European survival.
Tactical Trench Warfare
The Intensity of this European qualifier was evident from the chaotic opening exchanges at the Vasil Levski National Sports Academy, though it rarely translated into free-flowing football for the neutral observer. CSKA Sofia set out with a clear tactical directive to disrupt the tempo, committing a staggering 26 fouls across the pitch to stifle the visitors before they could build any momentum. Qarabag controlled possession, holding onto the ball for long, methodical spells, but they consistently struggled to break through a deeply entrenched and rigid defensive block. The home side's aggressively rugged approach led to a severely fractured tempo, with the referee constantly forced to intervene and handing out six yellow cards to the Bulgarian outfit before the halftime whistle finally offered a brief reprieve from the physical onslaught.
Set-Piece Siege
As the match dragged into its later stages, Qarabag shifted their strategy heavily toward overwhelming corner pressure to force a breakthrough. Racking up an incredible 10 corner kicks out of the match's 12 total, the visitors essentially camped outside the Bulgarian penalty area. Despite their sustained territorial control and registering five shots on target, they sorely lacked the final clinical touch needed to open the scoring. The Balance of the tie simply refused to tilt, with CSKA’s desperate defensive unit blocking three crucial efforts and tirelessly clearing away the barrage of incoming crosses. The game inevitably devolved into a punishing, attritional battle of sheer endurance, ensuring that 120 minutes of grueling action would not produce a single goal for either side.
Shootout Survival
With a lucrative place in the main competition dangling by a delicate thread, the Stakes reached their absolute peak as the referee finally pointed to the penalty spot. A dreary, scoreless affair was instantly injected with do-or-die tension that gripped the stadium. The shootout demanded nerves of steel, and the hosts miraculously found their composure when it mattered the most. CSKA Sofia confidently converted their crucial kicks, ultimately edging out a dramatic 5-4 victory in the shootout to advance in the grueling European tournament. Qarabag will undoubtedly rue their numerous missed opportunities during regular time, left entirely empty-handed and devastated despite controlling the pitch and the possession statistics for over two arduous hours.
Key Questions
How was the match decided?
CSKA Sofia won 5-4 in a penalty shootout after playing to a 0-0 draw across regulation and extra time.
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.
A Knife-Edge Tie in Sofia
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 81/100. With Europa League progression hanging by a thread, this dead-heat qualifier promises tension over spectacle.
The Setup
The margins could not be finer at the National Stadium Vasil Levski. A remarkably tight Balance rating highlights a clash where neither side holds a clear advantage. CSKA Sofia host Qarabag on July 30, 2026, knowing one mistake ends their continental campaign. The visitors bring established names like Leandro Andrade and Kady, but a modest Form rating suggests they are vulnerable. Meanwhile, the overall Stars appeal is low, meaning grit will dictate the tempo rather than individual brilliance.
Key Battle
The defining clash pits the home midfield's pressing against Qarabag's defensive spine. Without a standout attacking unit, the hosts must disrupt the visitors' rhythm early. Expect a scrappy contest in the middle of the park, where possession transitions will be heavily contested.
Our Prediction
A cagey draw. Both teams will prioritize defensive solidity over attacking risks, keeping the tie alive for the return leg. A low-scoring stalemate is the most likely outcome as caution rules the day.