Levski Sofia vs Botev Vratsa

A goalless first half produced little in open play but three yellow cards — two for Botev Vratsa (5', 35') and one for Levski (34') — reflected a scrappy, high-intensity friendly typical of early pre-season.

The deadlock broke in the 54th minute. Botev Vratsa forward M. Petkov found the net with a normal goal, putting the visitors ahead against a Levski side that entered the match as heavy favourites (pre-match odds as short as 1.20).

Levski pushed for an equaliser through the final half-hour but were repeatedly frustrated. They picked up two more yellow cards (68', 91') as the tension rose. Deep into stoppage time — the 93rd minute — forward Everton Bala struck to level the scores, denying Botev Vratsa what would have been only their third win in 19 meetings between the sides.

The match flipped decisively in the 93rd minute. Levski had dominated possession and territory after going behind but lacked incision until Bala's late intervention. A single moment of composure in the box turned a likely defeat into a share of the spoils.

Everton Bala (Levski Sofia) — The 29-year-old forward, Levski's top scorer in the 2025-26 season with 18 goals, rescued his side with a last-gasp equaliser. His movement and persistence paid off when it mattered most.

M. Petkov (Botev Vratsa) — Petkov took his chance clinically in the 54th minute to give Botev the lead. He was a constant outlet on the break and caused problems for the Levski backline throughout the second half.

Levski arrived on the back of two emphatic friendly wins — 6–0 versus Etar Veliko Tarnovo on 23 June and 4–0 versus Akademik Svishtov on 19 June — but could not reproduce that ruthlessness here. Botev Vratsa, meanwhile, had won three of their final five league relegation-round matches in May and carried solid organisation into this fixture. The five yellow cards (three for Levski, two for Botev) hint at a physical contest despite its friendly status. The 0–0 half-time scoreline and late goals suggest neither side was at full sharpness, typical for late-June pre-season.

As a friendly, the result carries no competitive weight, but it extends Levski Sofia's unbeaten run against Botev Vratsa to 12 matches across all competitions. Levski's pre-season continues with further friendlies before the 2026-27 Bulgarian First League campaign kicks off. Botev Vratsa will take encouragement from a disciplined performance against a side that finished above them in the league table, though the late concession will frustrate manager Todor Simov.

Both sides resume their competitive seasons in the Bulgarian First League — Levski face a new campaign aiming to improve on their second-place finish in the championship group, while Botev Vratsa will look to build on their top-flight survival secured in the relegation round.

A forgettable friendly enlivened only by its dramatic finale. Levski Sofia will be relieved to have salvaged parity but will want sharper finishing in their remaining pre-season tests. Botev Vratsa can take genuine heart from a performance that frustrated a superior opponent for 93 minutes.