Ludogorets Razgrad continued their dominance of Bulgarian football with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Levski Sofia at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium on May 9, 2026. The result kept the visitors atop the First League standings and extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches.

Match Overview

In a fiercely contested encounter, Ludogorets showed the resilience and tactical discipline that have made them the most successful club in Bulgarian history. Levski, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, started brightly and created early pressure, but Ludogorets grew into the game as the first half progressed. The decisive moment came just before the hour mark.

Key Moments

• 58' – Tekpetey strikes: A swift counter-attack caught Levski out of shape. Bernard Tekpetey received a through ball from Jakub Piotrowski, cut inside, and fired a low shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Plamen Andreev.
• 73' – Levski denied by the woodwork: Welton Felipe's powerful header from a corner struck the crossbar, leaving the home fans in despair.
• 90+3' – Late red card for Levski: Defender Jeremy Petris was sent off for a second bookable offense after a clumsy challenge on Caio Vidal, sealing Levski's fate.

Tactical Story

Levski's high-energy press troubled Ludogorets in the opening 20 minutes, but the visitors adjusted by dropping deeper and relying on quick transitions. The midfield battle was crucial, with Piotrowski and Todor Nedelev controlling the rhythm for Ludogorets. Levski's inability to convert set-piece opportunities proved costly, as Ludogorets' defense, marshaled by Anton Nedyalkov, held firm under pressure.

Standout Players

• Bernard Tekpetey: The Ghanaian winger's pace and direct running were a constant threat. His goal was a moment of individual brilliance.
• Jakub Piotrowski: The Polish midfielder dictated play from deep, completing 87% of his passes and launching several dangerous counter-attacks.
• Plamen Andreev (Levski): Despite the loss, the Levski goalkeeper made several fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable, including a point-blank stop from Matías Tissera.

Season Impact

Ludogorets' win extended their lead at the top to six points over second-placed CSKA Sofia with only four matchdays remaining. The Razgrad side are now heavy favorites to secure a 14th consecutive Bulgarian league title. For Levski, the defeat was a significant blow to their hopes of qualifying for European competition. They remain in fifth place, now three points behind the third-placed spot that offers a Europa Conference League berth.

The reigning champions will next host Botev Plovdiv, while Levski face a tricky away trip to Cherno More Varna as they look to bounce back.