UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round 2
Qarabag 0 - 0 FT CSKA Sofia
Popular today
Most read in the last 24 hours
Match Events
Leandro Godoy 35'
37' Marko Janković
HT
56' ↓ M. Jankovic ↑R. Cephas
56' ↓ B. Langa ↑E. Cafarquliyev
↓ L. Godoy ↑J. Zwarts 73'
↓ M. Ebong ↑I. Solet 73'
74' ↓ O. Kashchuk ↑J. Mouaddib
74' ↓ B. Huseynov ↑C. Makreckis
78' ↓ A. Zoubir ↑J. Montiel
↓ A. Martino ↑T. Ouorou 84'
↓ Pastor ↑M. Brahimi 90'+1
↓ S. Sensi ↑P. Panayotov 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Qarabag
Goalkeepers
Mateusz Kochalski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Matheus Silva
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Badavi Huseynov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Varkonyi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Langa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
A. Zoubir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pedro Bicalho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Marko Janković
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Oleksii Kashchuk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Kady Borges
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Z. Sawo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
Shahruddin Mahammadaliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Martin Zlomislic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bahlul Mustafazada
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Mouaddib
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Joni Montiel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Čebrails Makreckis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Cabrayilzada
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Elvin Jafarguliyev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Bashirov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Musa Gurbanli
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Cephas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
CSKA Sofia
Goalkeepers
Fedor Lapoukhov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Pastor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Facundo Santiago Rodríguez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Teodor Ivanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ángelo Martino
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jean-Philippe Gbamin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
Afrid Ebong
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Jordão
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Stefano Sensi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Santiago Godoy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ioannis Pittas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
Dimitar Evtimov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Ouorou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Andrey Yordanov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tunchev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mohamed Brahimi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Petko Panayotov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. 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
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
Qarabag Win
CSKA Sofia Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Qarabag
CSKA Sofia
Qarabag
CSKA Sofia
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Goalkeeping Clinic Forges Stalemate at Azərsun Arena
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 21/100. A phenomenal exhibition of shot-stopping ensures this crucial European qualifier remains on a knife-edge heading into the second leg.
The Wall at Azərsun Arena
The 2nd Qualifying Round clash began with a predictable rhythm as Qarabag immediately looked to assert their home advantage. The hosts controlled possession at 56 percent, probing the flanks and seeking early openings in the final third. A high level of Intensity was evident from the first whistle, with Qarabag winning a succession of corners to turn up the heat. Juninho and the attacking unit kept knocking on the door, generating sustained set-piece pressure. They racked up eight corners in total, attempting to suffocate the visitors in their own penalty area. However, the away side remained disciplined, maintaining a compact shape and refusing to break under the relentless Azerbaijani summer heat and the weight of the home crowd's expectations.
A Masterclass Between the Sticks
As the match progressed, it transformed into an absolute showcase for the men with the gloves. With the Stakes incredibly high for both clubs fighting for European survival, neither side could afford a fatal error. The story of the afternoon was defined by the staggering 14 total saves shared between the two goalkeepers. CSKA Sofia relied heavily on their defensive resilience and the heroics of Gustavo Busatto, who was a literal wall against the nine shots on target from the hosts. On the other end, whenever the Bulgarian outfit managed to break out and test the target, they found Qarabag's keeper equally unyielding, forced into five crucial saves of his own. The tactical chess match had evolved into a sheer duel of reflexes.
Everything Left to Play For
Despite 20 total shots and immense exertion from both squads, the back of the net remained untouched. The final whistle blew to confirm a 0-0 draw, leaving the Balance of this tie completely up in the air. For Qarabag, there will be slight frustration at not capitalizing on their territorial dominance and superior shot count. Conversely, the Bulgarian visitors will travel home feeling satisfied with a gritty, hard-fought clean sheet on the road. The lack of a decisive Upset Factor means this tie shifts to Sofia with everything on the line. Ninety minutes of breathless, goalless action have simply set the stage for a monumental winner-takes-all showdown next week.
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.
Qarabag Ready to Punish CSKA Sofia's Ambitions
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 18/100. Qarabag's overwhelming home dominance makes this continental qualifier look like a steep mountain for the Bulgarian visitors to climb.
The Setup
The lights at the Azərsun Arena shine on July 23, 2026, for a UEFA Europa League second qualifying round clash that feels decidedly one-sided. The Stakes are clear as day—survival in European competition—but a highly skewed Balance paints a grim picture for the visitors. While the overall Stars rating remains modest, the hosts boast genuine quality. Playmakers like Leandro Andrade and Kady pull the strings, backed by the safe hands of M. Kochalski. The Qarabag squad enters with enough firepower to bypass any sluggish Form issues, leaving the Bulgarian outfit scrambling for answers.
Key Battle
This tie will be decided in the middle of the park. The home midfield engine looks ready to dictate the tempo, monopolize possession, and force the CSKA Sofia back line into a desperate low block. If the visitors cannot disrupt the passing lanes early, their defense will face a relentless siege for ninety minutes.
Our Take
Our verdict is a routine home victory. Expect Qarabag to stamp their authority early, ultimately cruising to a comfortable 3-0 win. They will likely establish an insurmountable first-leg advantage by suffocating the visitors and punishing tired legs late in the second half.