Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Botev Plovdiv thrashed Beroe 4-0 in their final pre-season friendly. Hein, Kalu, Tonev and Okoh scored at Stadion Hristo Botev.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
After a cagey opening, Botev struck first in the 14th minute. New signing Veliyan Vidolov threaded a precise pass through to Bryan-Anthony Hein, who slotted calmly into the far corner to make it 1-0.
Three minutes later, Franklin Mascotte missed a presentable chance from close range. Beroe responded with a wayward shot, while Vidolov went on a fine run in the 39th minute but could not find the target. Botev carried a 1-0 lead into the interval.
The second half began with a Dimitar Tonev effort that drifted wide. But the floodgates opened in the 57th minute when Samuel Kalu — who had signed a new contract with the club on 9 July — unleashed a superb technical shot from mid-range that left Beroe goalkeeper Artur Mota with no chance.
Inside two minutes, Kalu turned provider, finding Tonev unmarked in the box to slot home the third. It was Tonev's first goal since returning to Botev from Cherno More.
Botev continued to push. Nikola Iliev rattled the crossbar in the 61st minute after coming off the bench. Bogdan Kostov broke down the right in the 76th minute and found Chidera Okoh, but the Nigerian dragged his shot wide.
Okoh made no mistake in the 82nd minute. Edson Silva raced down the right flank and delivered for Okoh, who finished with a precise shot to cap the scoring at 4-0.
The turning point
Botev's control was comfortable but the scoreline remained 1-0 until the 57th minute. Kalu's stunning strike from range broke Beroe's resistance, and Tonev's quickfire follow-up — barely two minutes later — turned a narrow lead into a commanding 3-0 advantage. The two-goal burst inside 120 seconds effectively ended the contest.
Key performers
Samuel Kalu — the Nigerian winger was the game's standout. He scored a brilliant goal from distance, assisted Tonev's strike, and was a constant threat. His new contract signed days earlier looks a shrewd piece of business.
Veliyan Vidolov — the new signing provided the assist for Hein's opener and was heavily involved throughout. Multiple Bulgarian outlets highlighted his performance as a key bright spot.
Chidera Okoh — the latest Botev arrival scored his debut goal for the club with a composed finish late on.
Bryan-Anthony Hein — the German defender opened the scoring with a composed finish and was solid at the back.
By the numbers — interpreted
Botev's four-goal haul reflects complete dominance after the break. The scoreline suggests a routine win, but the first half was a tighter affair — Botev led only 1-0 at the break despite controlling possession. The decisive shift came in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, where Botev scored three times in a 25-minute spell. Beroe offered little in response; the provider data recorded zero cards in the match, indicating a low-tempo friendly that never boiled over.
What it means
Botev Plovdiv finished their pre-season schedule with four wins from their summer friendlies, having beaten Ballkani (2-0), Arda Kardzhali (2-1), and others before this result. The 2025/26 Parva Liga third-placed finishers begin their new league season on 20 July at home to Lokomotiv Sofia.
Beroe, who were relegated from the Bulgarian top flight at the end of last season, used the friendly as preparation for their Second League campaign. The two sides will not meet in league competition this season.
Verdict
A comprehensive pre-season performance from Botev, who look sharp ahead of the new campaign. The attacking link between Kalu, Tonev and the new arrivals — Vidolov and Okoh — gave Stanislav Genchev's side a fluid edge that Beroe could not handle. The scoreline was fair, and the margin could have been wider had Iliev's shot found the net instead of the crossbar.
Match Events
Key match events between Botev Plovdiv and Beroe — 4 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2018
Botev Plovdiv vs Beroe Head to Head Results· 22
Botev Plovdiv and Beroe have met 22 times — Botev Plovdiv won 11, Beroe won 4, with 7 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2018. Botev Plovdiv leads the head-to-head with 11 victories from 22 meetings. A combined 58 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.64 per match (37 for the home side, 21 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 12 matches (55%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 11 games (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Botev Plovdiv are currently unbeaten in the last 14 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 0–6 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 15 Jul 2026