CSKA Sofia beats Qarabağ on penalties to reach Europa League play‑offs
CSKA Sofia eliminated Azerbaijani side Qarabağ FK in the Europa League second qualifying round after a goalless 120‑minute match, winning the penalty shoot‑out 5‑4. The tie was played at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, where goalkeeper Fiodor Lapouhov made crucial saves in regular time and during the penalties.
Head coach Hristo Yanev praised the squad’s belief and composure, while captain Teodor Ivanov highlighted the fans’ support. The victory secures CSKA a place in the third qualifying round, where they will meet Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
UEFA has ordered a suspension of ticket sales for the upcoming CSKA‑Maccabi match scheduled for 6 August at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, after fan pyrotechnics in a previous game. A draw for the Europa League play‑offs will be held on 3 August, determining CSKA’s seeding for the next stage.
Entities: CSKA Sofia · Fiodor Lapouhov · Hristo Yanev · Maccabi Tel Aviv · Maccabi Tel Aviv FC · Qarabag FK · Teodor Ivanov · Theodor Ivanov · Vasil Levski National Stadium
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 11 SOURCES] The match was held at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. (clm_d5dadb80-4a3a-423d-9f6b-530a6cfb7650)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The match lasted 120 minutes without goals before proceeding to penalties. (source)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Goalkeeper Fiodor Lapouhov made crucial saves during regular time and the penalty shoot‑out. (clm_51683c75-2bcc-4682-9a1f-cf13253922fe)
- [● 11 SOURCES] CSKA Sofia defeated Qarabağ FK in a Europa League third qualifying round tie after a 0‑0 draw and winning the penalty shoot‑out 5‑4. (source)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Marko Yankovich and Yoannis Pitas scored the first successful penalties for CSKA in the shoot‑out. (source)
- [● 11 SOURCES] CSKA Sofia will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next Europa League round. (clm_dbccb500-3678-42b5-aeeb-27ad9dd23396)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Yanev said belief is the only thing left for him and that he will never change his approach. (All three articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Yanev thanked the fans for their support. (Articles 2 and 3)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Karabakh’s previous‑season coach had 17 years of experience and had beaten Benfica and Chelsea. (All three articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Yanev expressed ambition to reach the Europa League group stage and mentioned a forthcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. (Article 1)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Hristo Yanev is the head coach of CSKA Sofia. (clm_ee8e0888-459b-49a6-b372-e620db8c7118)
- [● 8 SOURCES] CSKA Sofia eliminated Qarabağ (Karabakh) 5‑4 on penalties after a 0‑0 draw in the Europa League second qualifying round. (clm_eb8a74a6-a4c5-4a65-981a-548a53393b7b)