Belasitsa vs Belasica

No cards were recorded in the match.

Belasitsa Petrich ended their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over North Macedonian namesakes Belasica Strumica at Stadion Tsar Samuil on 24 July 2026, with new signing Lyubomir Todorov and Anton Karachanakov on target before the club's official team presentation to supporters.

The Bulgarian Third League side dominated the first half and took a deserved lead in the 25th minute through Lyubomir Todorov. The recent arrival, 21-year-old right winger who joined Belasitsa earlier this summer, produced a composed finish from inside the box to open the scoring.

Belasitsa extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. Anton Karachanakov stepped up to a free kick in a promising position and curled the ball directly into the net, giving the North Macedonian goalkeeper no chance. The 54th-minute strike effectively sealed the result.

Belasica Strumica pushed for a consolation in the closing stages but could not breach the Belasitsa defence, who kept a clean sheet in their final pre-season outing.

Karachanakov's 54th-minute free kick doubled Belasitsa's lead and removed any prospect of a Belasica fightback. The set-piece specialist delivered with precision from a central position, converting a chance that the home side had been seeking in the early second-half exchanges.

Lyubomir Todorov (Belasitsa) — The 21-year-old winger, signed during the summer window, opened his account for the club with a well-taken first-half goal. The former Strumska Slava player showed composure beyond his years in the 25th minute. His movement and link-up play troubled the Belasica defence throughout.

Anton Karachanakov (Belasitsa) — Clinched the match with a sublime free kick in the 54th minute. The midfielder's dead-ball ability was the difference-maker on a day when Belasitsa controlled possession but needed a moment of set-piece quality to put the game beyond reach.

The provider payload records a 2–0 final scoreline with a 1–0 half-time lead, indicating a controlled display from Belasitsa rather than a dominant blowout. The Bulgarian side managed the game effectively after the second goal, protecting their clean sheet through the final 36 minutes plus stoppage time. The absence of any cards on either side reflects the friendly nature of the contest, with both teams focused on fitness rather than aggression.

For Belasitsa Petrich, this was the final pre-season friendly before the 2026/27 competitive season. The club, which plays in the Yugozapadna Treta liga (Southwest Third League), will open their campaign away to Pirin Razlog on 1 August 2026 at 18:00 EEST. Their pre-season programme included a 0–2 loss to Greek second-tier side Niki Volos (17 July), a 0–0 draw with Bansko (16 July), and a 0–0 draw with CSKA Sofia III, building gradually towards this victory.

For Belasica Strumica, the friendly continues their pre-season build-up ahead of the North Macedonian second-tier season. The two clubs share a name and a cross-border rivalry, with this match being the first recorded meeting between them according to the head-to-head data.

Anton Karachanakov (Belasitsa Petrich) — His second-half free kick was the decisive moment of the match and showcased the quality that will be vital for Belasitsa's Third League title challenge.

Karachanakov's 54th-minute direct free kick, struck with precision from a central position, doubled Belasitsa's lead and removed any prospect of a Belasica comeback.