Ludogorets became the champion of Bulgaria for the 13th time in a row. In an emotional derby of the 32nd round in the First League, the people of Razgrad beat CSKA-Sofia 3:1 at home and remain unattainable at the top of the standings with 79 points. The two teams finished the match with a reduced squad after red cards for Bernard Tekpetei and Fernando Karanga, BTA reports.
In the second minute, Ludogorets took the lead after Bernard Tekpetei was brought down the right flank and passed to Kwadwo Dua in the penalty area. The attacker of the "green" turned and took advantage of the space he received from Brian Cordoba, sending the ball on the ground in the goal of the "reds".
Eight minutes later, the hosts again organized a dangerous attack on the right. Francisco Gomes was brought on and passed to Bernard Tekpetei who shot wide. After exactly a quarter of an hour of play, CSKA-Sofia seriously threatened Sergio Padt's goal for the first time. Mathias Phaeton sent a powerful shot towards the far corner, but the home keeper blocked it.
In the 25th minute, Dua shot inaccurately, and seven minutes later, Volen Chinkov showed a direct red card to Brian Cordoba, who unintentionally hit Rick Jonathan. The red card was overturned following the intervention of the video refereeing system.
In the 34th minute, CSKA-Sofia equalized after a goal by Fernando Karanga. He was brought on by Amos Juga and outpaced Padt, who had unreadily left his penalty area and approached the touchline – 1:1.
Four minutes after the start of the second half, the "green" again took the lead. Dinis Almeida passed to Jonathan, who back-heeled to captain Anton Nedyalkov. With a solid shot from the corner of the penalty area, he left no chance for Busato, returning the lead for Ludogorets – 2:1.
In the 57th minute, the champions reached a third goal after Dua scored from the penalty spot. The 11-meter free kick was reached after a handball by Fernando Karanga in the penalty area. The worst penalty in football was handed down after VAR intervened. Ugly scenes ensued and Karanga and Tekpetei were sent off with straight red cards in the brawl between players from both teams.
Nine minutes before the end of regular time, the defense of Razgrad made a mistake in the play. This allowed Phaeton to fire, but Padt dealt with the danger.
Matches from the 32nd round in the First Football League, top six:
Krumovgrad - Loko (Pd) 4:1
Ludogorets - CSKA-Sofia 3:1
On Sunday:
Levski - Black Sea (7:30 p.m., Diema Sport)
Matches from round 33 in First Football League, seventh-tenth place
CSKA 1948 - Slavia 0:2
Arda - Botev (Pd) 2:1
Matches from the 33rd round in the First Football League, relegation group
On Sunday:
Beroe – Pirin (17.00 table, Diema sport)
On Monday:
Eter - Loko (Sf) (5:45 p.m., Diema sport)
Botev Vratsa – Heber (20.15 hours, Diema sport)