The champion Ludogorets dramatically defeated CSKA 1948 3:2 in Bistritsa and qualified for the 1/4-finals of the Bulgarian Cup. It should be noted that the coach of the Eagles Igor Jovicevic had rested a number of key players, including Dinis Almeida, Son, Pedro Naressi, Ivaylo Chochev, Rick, Erick Marcus and Jakub Piotrowski. However, this did not prevent the guests from eliminating their opponent.
Ludogorets started the match with a bang, and in the 4th minute the Eagles missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the score. Spas Delev broke through from the left into the CSKA 1948 penalty area and turned to Georgi Rusev, whose shot was saved by Petar Marinov. Aguibou Camara added a goal, but Tom Rapnoi blocked his shot as well.
Two minutes later, Aslack Von Witry fired a dangerous shot from the edge of the home team's penalty area, but Petar Marinov dived and cleared it.
In the 8th minute, Tom Rapnoy shot from mid-range, but a Ludogorets defender stood in the way of the ball and blocked the Frenchman's shot.
CSKA 1948 managed to take the lead in the 11th minute with its first accurate shot of the match. Birsent Karagaren advanced down the left wing and crossed to the far post. There, Aslack Von Witry hung, and the ball reached Radoslav Kirilov. The captain of the Reds feinted Von Witry and shot into the lower left corner of the goal, also checking Sergio Padt.
In the 20th minute, Georgi Rusev fired a dangerous shot into the lower left corner of the home team's goal, but Petar Marinov saved.
Tallis shot from mid-range in the 29th minute, but Sergio Padt managed to hit the ball into the lower right corner of his own goal.
Ludogorets equalized in the 36th minute. Spas Delev dribbled into the CSKA 1948 penalty area, where his ball was cleared by Emil Tsenov. Aguibou Camara took advantage of the ricochet, laid the ball down and with a powerful shot into the upper left corner of the goal, left no chance for Petar Marinov to intervene - 1:1.
In the 39th minute, Birsent Karagaren took advantage of a mistake in the Ludogorets defense, which allowed him to shoot from the edge of the visitors' penalty area, but the CSKA 1948 player failed to find the goal line.
CSKA 1948 started the second half strongly. In the 51st minute, Tallis was brought out from the left into the Ludogorets penalty area, and the Brazilian shot diagonally, but Sergio Padt saved.
After a cross from a corner for Ludogorets in the 52nd minute, Spas Delev at the near post continued the ball to Kwadwo Duah, who shot with his head, but sent the ball over the crossbar.
Petar Marinov made a gross mistake in the play and sent the ball to the feet of Todor Nedelev. The Ludogorets midfielder tried a shot from over 35 meters, but the CSKA 1948 goalkeeper regained his position and saved in the 56th minute.
CSKA 1948 took the lead again in the score in the 63rd minute, after Radoslav Kirilov received the ball on the left wing and went on an independent raid. With a dribble, the home team captain broke into the penalty area and with a diagonal shot, he defeated several Ludogorets defenders and guard Sergio Padt - 2:1.
Two chances followed for the guests, missed by Rouan and Spas Delev. Then Ivan Yordanov got injured, because of which Ludogorets finished the match with four central defenders. After the 75th minute, the guests pressed again, with misses by Ivaylo Chochev and Aguibou Camara.
Thus, it logically came to a goal in the 77th minute. Edvin Kurtulus, who had started as a left back, crossed, Emil Tsenov bent down, thus deceiving his goalkeeper and the ball flew into the net for 2:2. Ten minutes later, Rwan got into a clear position, but was unable to overcome the goalkeeper. There was also a giant miss by Spas Delev, who was left alone against Petar Marinov.
Ludogorets reached the victory in the 92nd minute. Then Spas Delev crossed perfectly to Ivaylo Chochev and the former captain of CSKA1948 could not make a mistake - 3:2 and the Eagles are in the next phase. The draw for the 1/4 finals will be on Wednesday.