Ludogorets Razgrad eased into the next round of the Bulgarian Cup with a commanding 3-0 win at Beroe Stara Zagora on Saturday night. The visitors controlled the tie from early on, scored at key moments and managed the game professionally after building a comfortable lead.

Match overview

Beroe Stara Zagora came into the Bulgarian Cup fixture hoping to use home advantage and make the game uncomfortable for Ludogorets. Instead, the visitors settled quickly, kept possession with purpose and created the first clear chance of the night. Ludogorets’ quality in the final third made the difference, and once the opening goal arrived, the away side looked in complete control.

Beroe tried to respond and had a brief spell of pressure, but Ludogorets defended well and punished their hosts with a second goal before half-time. The third goal after the break ended any realistic hope of a comeback, allowing Ludogorets to see out the closing stages with discipline and composure.

Key moments

• 14 minutes: Rwan Cruz opened the scoring for Ludogorets with a composed finish after a quick attacking move.
• 27 minutes: Beroe created a rare chance from a corner, but the header was cleared off the line.
• 39 minutes: Pedro Naressi doubled the lead with a well-placed shot from outside the box.
• 57 minutes: Rwan Cruz scored his second of the night, finishing calmly after being played through on goal.
• 78 minutes: Beroe pushed forward in search of a consolation, but Ludogorets’ goalkeeper dealt with the danger.

Tactical story

Ludogorets dominated the ball and used their midfield to dictate the rhythm of the match. Their full-backs pushed high to create overloads on the flanks, while the front players made repeated runs into the channels. Beroe’s defence held firm for the opening stages but struggled to cope with Ludogorets’ movement once the visitors found their passing range.

Out of possession, Ludogorets pressed intelligently and prevented Beroe from building sustained attacks. The home side’s best moments came from set pieces, but they lacked the precision needed to beat a well-organised defence. With a two-goal cushion at half-time, Ludogorets were able to manage the second half without taking unnecessary risks.

Standout performers

Rwan Cruz was the standout player with two goals and a constant threat behind the Beroe defence. Naressi added quality in midfield and capped his performance with an important goal. Ludogorets’ goalkeeper remained alert when called upon, while Beroe’s defenders worked hard but were ultimately overwhelmed by the visitors’ attacking depth.

What the result means

The 3-0 win sends Ludogorets Razgrad into the next round of the Bulgarian Cup with momentum and a clean sheet. Cup ties can be unpredictable, but this was a mature away performance from a side used to competing at the top level. For Beroe Stara Zagora, the focus now shifts to domestic league matters, though the manner of the defeat will leave them eager to respond quickly.