Ludogorets advances in UCL after drama against Rijeka

Ludogorets qualified for the third qualifying round of Тhe UEFA Champions League after defeating Croatian side Rijeka 3:1 after extra time. Their next opponent will be Hungarian champions Ferencvаros.

In the 16th minute, the "Eagles" (Ludogorets) demanded a penalty for a handball by Stjepan Radeljiц after a shot by Son. Initially, referee John Beaton did not award a penalty, but after being called to the VAR monitor, he changed his decision. Jakub Piotrowski stepped up and calmly converted – 1:0 for Ludogorets.

In the 23rd minute, Ludogorets came close to a second goal. Rijeka’s goalkeeper Zlomislic made a mistake, the ball fell to Erick Marcus, and then it went to the unmarked Caio Vidal, who was brilliantly blocked by Majstorovic. Two dangerous crosses followed into Rijeka’s penalty area, both involving Pedro Naressi, who headed the ball but did not pose a serious threat. Rijeka responded with a powerful shot by Menalo, which missed the target.

In the 47th minute, Rijeka almost equalized. After a corner kick, Toni Fruk’s shot hit the post, and Menalo incredibly missed an open goal on the rebound. Three minutes later, Tekpetey tried to lob the Rijeka goalkeeper, but Zlomislic was alert and caught the ball. In the 57th minute, Nedyalkov made a great pass to Tekpetey, who beat a defender and found himself in an excellent position, but failed to score. Ten minutes later, the post denied Ludogorets a goal. Caio Vidal fought off two defenders and shot with his left foot, but the ball hit the right post.

In the 71st minute, Rijeka equalized! Substitute Amer Gojak sent in a cross-shot aimed at Duje Cop, but Ludogorets goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann misjudged it and the ball ended up in the net – 1:1. In the 77th minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Gabriel Rukavina received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Mounir Chouiar – a logical dismissal. Ludogorets pressed forward immediately and scored in the 86th minute. After great footwork by Chouiar in the box, the ball reached Stanislav Ivanov, who laid it off to fellow substitute Ivaylo Chochev, and he scored. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside by Ivanov.

In the fifth minute of added time, Filip Kaloc fired a rocket, but it was off target. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Rijeka was reduced to nine men after a straight red card for midfielder Toni Fruk, sending the match into extra time.

Ludogorets logically took control in extra time. Ivaylo Chochev became the hero in the 107th minute, and Stanislav Ivanov sealed the final score at 3:1 in the 117th minute.