Ludogorets achieved a very difficult but sweet victory - 2:1 against Slavia, which left the Eagles only one point behind the leader CSKA. Gustavo Nonato became a hero for Ludogorets, scoring in stoppage time. The drama came after a disputed penalty. Initially, the referee Nikola Popov called a foul in an attack by Ertan Tombak against Anton Nedyalkov, but after consultation with the VAR, he awarded a penalty, which was realized by Tony Tasev.

Ahead of the second leg in Belgium, coach Ante Simundza made several changes to his squad. Verdon, Nedyalkov, Piotrowski, who did not play against Anderlecht due to suspension, were starters. Franco Russo and Pedro Naressi were rested.

Ludogorets pressured the "whites" early on, as in the 8th minute Igor Thiago very masterfully shot through the legs of a Slavia player, Svetoslav Vutsov did not see the ball at all, but luckily for him it did not hit his net. Three minutes later, Jakub Piotrowski tried the reflex of Vutsov, who kicked in a corner. The logical thing happened in the 18th minute. Then, after a good attack from the right, Von Witry found Dominic Yankov, he tried a pass for Igor Thiago, who missed, but the ball went straight to the feet of Spas Delev and he made no mistake with a powerful shot on the ground - 1:0. Ludogorets continued to press and then Svetoslav Vutsov saved Yankov's shot.

Slavia responded after half an hour of play. Ertan Tombak then crossed well from the right for Ahmed Ahmedov, who tried to surprise Sergio Padt with a header, but the Dutchman managed to do so. In the 40th minute, Svetoslav Vutsov deflected Dominik Yankov's shot.

At the break, apparently with the visit to Belgium in mind, Ante Simundza took both Kiril Despodov and Igor Thiago out of the game, and Bernard Tekpeteiyand Matias Tissera entered in their places. In the 57th minute, Slavia came very close to equalizing. After a cross from a corner, Emil Vijacki headed in, and just before Natan Gassama struck, captain Anton Nedyalkov cleared at the last moment. It was interesting in the Whites' box after that, with Tissera going down in the box after contact with Gassama, but no penalty was awarded. In the 68th minute, Spas Delev made a good break from the right, finished with a pass to Dominik Yankov. The playmaker adjusted the ball and shot, but missed the goal.

In the 75th minute, the Whites demanded a penalty after contact between Anton Nedyalkov and Ertan Tombak. The referee Nikola Popov reviewed the situation on the monitor and changed his initial decision, which was a foul in attack - a penalty. Tony Tasev stood behind the ball and sent Sergio Padt into the other corner - 1:1.

In the 90th minute, the players of Ludogorets saw themselves as winners, but they were not to be. Pedro Naressi shot very skillfully, but the ball hit the crossbar. However, the goal fell shortly after. Jakub Piotrowski easily dealt with Valentin Petrov and put the ball on the head of Gustavo Nonato, who scored for 2:1.

It should be noted that the Spanish right-back Gonzalo Pipa made his debut for Ludogorets, replacing Aslak von Witry shortly before the end of the match.