Botev Vratsa vs Beitar Jerusalem

Beitar struck first through Timoti Muzi in the 7th minute. Captain Yarden Shua — starting in his usual creative role — slipped a pass through the Botev Vratsa defence and Muzi finished calmly to give the Israeli runners-up an early lead.

Botev responded within seven minutes. Martin Petkov collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired a crisp shot past Beitar goalkeeper Miguel Silva to level at 1-1.

The Bulgarian side thought they had taken the lead shortly afterwards when Lazar Boyanov turned the ball into the net, but the flag went up for offside.

The breakthrough came from the spot in the 27th minute. Kasim Hadži was brought down in the Beitar box and Petkov stepped up to dispatch the penalty, completing his brace and putting Botev 2-1 ahead.

Beitar equalised just before half-time. Shua turned provider for the second time, delivering for new Ghanaian signing Eugene Ansah, who slotted home on his debut for the club. The score stood at 2-2 at the break.

The second half produced fewer clear openings as both sides made wholesale changes. Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the final 45 minutes and the contest ended level.

Beitar's defensive lapses in a four-minute spell midway through the first half — conceding the equaliser and then a penalty — threatened to undo the early advantage Shua and Muzi had built. But Ansah's composed finish just before the interval restored parity and gave new head coach Almog Cohen a platform to assess his squad in the second period without chasing the game. The structural changes at half-time (a completely different outfield XI) ensured the friendly retained its primary purpose as a fitness exercise.

Martin Petkov (Botev Vratsa) — Named player of the match by Bulgarian outlet Sportal. Two sharply taken goals (one from open play, one penalty) in a first-half showing that underlined his importance to Botev's attack this pre-season.

Yarden Shua (Beitar Jerusalem) — Two first-half assists for Muzi and Ansah. The captain dictated Beitar's best attacking moments before being substituted at the interval as planned.

Eugene Ansah (Beitar Jerusalem) — A goal on his unofficial debut for the club. The Ghanaian striker, signed this summer, showed sharp movement to finish Shua's second assist and will give Cohen options in the final third.

Miguel Silva (Beitar Jerusalem) — The Beitar goalkeeper endured a mixed half, beaten twice including by a penalty he could do little about, but was not at fault for either goal according to Israeli reports.

The match page shows no detailed possession or shot data, which is common for low-key pre-season friendlies where statistics are not tracked by official providers. The narrative evidence, however, tells a clear story: Beitar opened brightly through Shua's creativity, Botev Vratsa seized control for a 20-minute spell either side of Petkov's penalty, and Beitar steadied just before half-time through Ansah. The second half was a non-event in terms of chances — both sides rotated heavily and fitness took priority over result.

For Beitar Jerusalem, this was the first of two friendlies during their 10-day training camp in Pravets, Bulgaria. The second comes on Tuesday 7 July against Bulgarian First League side Arda Kardzhali, whom Beitar also faced in pre-season last year. Beitar's first competitive fixture is the Toto Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv on 18 July at Netanya, followed by European qualifiers later in the month. Shua's form is encouraging; the absences of Omer Atzili, Adi Yona, Tomer Yosefi and Luka Gedrani through injury meant Cohen was unable to field a full-strength XI.

For Botev Vratsa (who finished 8th in the Bulgarian First League last season), this was their third summer friendly. They drew 3-3 with Levski Sofia on 27 June and beat Spartak Pleven 2-0 on 1 July. Head coach Todor Simonović will be pleased with Petkov's sharpness and the attacking patterns his side showed against quality opposition.

Beitar arrived in Bulgaria under new management. Almog Cohen, formerly the club's sporting director, was appointed head coach after Barak Yitzhaki's departure at the end of last season. The club announced the signing of Israeli striker Sean Weissman on the same day as this friendly, with Weissman expected to join the camp in the coming days. Ansah's debut goal provides an early return on the investment in the Ghanaian forward.

Botev Vratsa have two further friendlies scheduled before the new season: against CSKA 1948 and Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

A fair result that told both managers what they most needed to hear in early July. Beitar's attacking transitions through Shua are already functional; defensive concentration needs work. Botev Vratsa look competitive against a side from a higher-profile league, and Martin Petkov's double is a statement of intent for the season ahead. Neither side will read too much into the scoreline with so many changes made.