Match In Focus: Ludogorets 1-0 CSKA Sofia - Bulgarian Cup Final (Band 6)

James Doolan reports having watched the Bulgarian Cup Final in person last weekend

Match Details

LUDOGORETS 1 v 0 CSKA SOFIA

Competition: Bulgarian Cup Final (Band 6)

Date: 22.05.2025

Venue: Vasil Levski National Stadium

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Story of the match

The Bulgarian Cup final opened with a tense, tactical tone, as both Ludogorets and CSKA Sofia cautiously eased into the occasion amidst a feverish atmosphere at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. The stadium was dominated by CSKA Sofia fans, which fed into the beginning of the game with CSKA Sofia having the majority of early possession and Ludogorets riding the wave.

CSKA Sofia made a defensive error in the 6th minute, when a poor clearance gave Caio Vidal a chance to shoot from the edge of the box. His effort, however, was expertly blocked by a last-ditch sliding tackle; these defensive errors would be an unfortunate theme in the game for CSKA Sofia. In quick succession it was CSKA Sofia’s turn as a miscommunication and breakdown in Ludogorets’ backline allowed Ioannis Pittas a clear look at goal from a tight angle.

CSKA continued to search for a breakthrough as they largely controlled the game, in the 16th minute Olaus Skarsem nearly unlocked the defense with a precise through-ball to Pittas, only for Padt to again intervene decisively. Despite their control, CSKA found it difficult to generate clear chances in the final third. They often rushed play instead of playing an extra pass or poor positioning in the final third prevented them from stretching the opposition defence. Their best early opportunity came in the 26th minute when Thibaut Vion delivered a dangerous ball to the far post, but Shopov miscontrolled at the crucial moment.

In the 34th minute, Ludogorets took the lead seemingly out of nowhere. A long ball into CSKA’s half was poorly dealt with by Vion whose weak back pass was anticipated by Caio Vidal. He intercepted to slot the ball beneath the goalkeeper.

A poorly cleared ball dropped invitingly to James Eto’o the Cameroonian connected well with a volley that was to be saved by the Ludogorets goalkeeper. Later in a similar situation Eto’o received the ball again in favourable position in the final third, much to the frustration of the CSKA fans rather than carry the ball into the space ahead, he rushed in an attempt to chip the goalkeeper.

Half-time: LUDOGORETS 1-0 CSKA SOFIA

The second half resumed with CSKA pushing to restore control and get back into the game, Ioannis Pittas tried to make an early impact. The Cypriot forward had an effort at goal, but his attempt lacked conviction and failed to trouble the keeper.

Ludogorets responded with a counterattack in the 51st minute, nearly doubling their lead. A move through the centre of the pitch saw Kamara pass out wide to Duah. The Swiss striker took aim from inside the box, but defender Adrian Lapeña produced a fantastic block to keep his team in the game. In the 72nd minute, Caio Vidal found space in the box and forced a sharp save from the CSKA keeper. The rebound fell kindly to Chochev, but the midfielder failed to capitalize, sending his effort off target.

CSKA pushing bodies forward in search of an equalizer, they left themselves increasingly vulnerable to the counterattack. Within the span of a minute, Ludogorets carved out two more clear-cut chances. Duah blasted a shot just over the crossbar, and moments later Vidal rattled the bar.

An event occurred late in the game that could have dramatically altered the match. During a contested aerial challenge in the Ludogorets penalty area, Son appeared to strike Lapeña in the face. Despite a VAR check, the officials decided against giving a late penalty.

Full-time: LUDOGORETS 1-0 CSKA SOFIA