CSKA 1948 Sofia 2-1 FC Dunav Ruse | Bulgarian First League match report

CSKA 1948 Sofia claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Dunav Ruse in the Bulgarian First League on September 13, 2026. Goals from Ivaylo Chochev and Georgi Minchev put the hosts in control, and although Dunav Ruse pulled one back late, CSKA 1948 held on for three important points.

CSKA 1948 Edge a Tight Contest

The home side started with confidence and dictated the tempo in the first half. Their midfield pressed aggressively and won the ball back quickly, preventing Dunav Ruse from building any sustained rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Chochev converted a penalty after a foul inside the box.

CSKA 1948 doubled the lead in the 57th minute through Minchev, who finished neatly after a quick move down the right. Dunav Ruse responded with more urgency and pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when Nikolay Dichev found space at the far post and converted. The closing stages were tense, but CSKA 1948 defended with discipline to protect their advantage.

Key Moments

• 22’ — Ivaylo Chochev scores from the penalty spot to put CSKA 1948 ahead.
• 41’ — Dunav Ruse force a sharp save from the CSKA 1948 goalkeeper.
• 57’ — Georgi Minchev doubles the lead with a composed finish inside the box.
• 76’ — Nikolay Dichev pulls one back for Dunav Ruse with a far-post finish.
• 89’ — CSKA 1948 clear a dangerous corner to preserve the win.

Tactical Story

CSKA 1948 lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and controlled possession through the middle, using their full-backs to provide width. Their pressing was well organized, and they consistently forced Dunav Ruse into sideways passes or hopeful long balls. The hosts also looked dangerous from set pieces, with Chochev’s presence in the box a constant threat.

Dunav Ruse defended in a compact 4-4-2 and tried to hit on the counterattack. That approach kept them in the game, but they struggled to create clear chances until the final 20 minutes. After Dichev’s goal, they pushed more players forward and caused some late anxiety, but CSKA 1948’s midfield dropped deeper to close the spaces and see out the result.

Standout Players

Ivaylo Chochev was influential throughout, scoring the opening goal and controlling the tempo from midfield. Georgi Minchev provided the decisive second goal and worked tirelessly in the attacking third. For Dunav Ruse, Nikolay Dichev took his goal well and gave his team a late lifeline, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

Bulgarian First League Table Impact

The win lifts CSKA 1948 Sofia into a stronger position in the Bulgarian First League standings and keeps them in the hunt for the top half. Home victories against teams fighting lower down the table are essential in the race for the championship group. FC Dunav Ruse will take some encouragement from their late response, but they remain in need of points and must improve their away form if they are to climb away from danger.