Qarabag vs CSKA Sofia

Qarabag controlled possession in the first half, as expected from Gurban Gurbanov's side on home turf, but struggled to carve out clear chances against a disciplined CSKA Sofia rearguard. The Bulgarian visitors, set up in a compact 4-4-2 by manager Hristo Yanev, limited the Azerbaijani champions to speculative efforts.

The first bookings arrived inside a two-minute window: CSKA's Leandro Godoy was cautioned for a firm challenge in the 35th minute, and Qarabag's Marko Janković followed him into the book two minutes later. The score remained 0-0 at half-time.

Qarabag increased the tempo after the break. Gurbanov introduced Renaldo Cephas for Janković and Elvin Cəfərquliyev for Bruno Langa in a double change at the 56th minute. The injection of pace paid dividends almost immediately.

In the 59th minute, Kady Borges bundled the ball into the net from close range, sending the home crowd into celebration. But the referee's assistant flagged, and after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside in the build-up. Replays suggested the Brazilian attacker had strayed marginally offside before converting, and the decision stood.

That was the defining moment of the match. Qarabag pushed for a winner in the final half-hour, introducing Jamil Mouaddib, Čēzās Makreckis and Joni Montiel, but CSKA Sofia's defence — marshalled by captain Bruno Jordão and centre-back Facundo Rodríguez — held firm. Rodríguez was booked in the 77th minute for a late tackle that summed up the visitors' approach: disciplined, physical and effective.

Bruno Jordão (CSKA Sofia) — The Portuguese midfielder, wearing the armband, was the fulcrum of CSKA's resistance. He screened the back four intelligently, cut out passing lanes, and completed more interceptions than any team-mate. A captain's display in a game that required defensive organisation above all else.

Pedro Bicalho (Qarabag) — The Brazilian defensive midfielder was the home side's most composed presence. His passing range kept Qarabag's attacks moving, and he recovered possession repeatedly in the middle third. The one player who looked most likely to unlock the CSKA block.

F. Lapoukhov (CSKA Sofia) — The goalkeeper was not forced into a spectacular save, but his command of the penalty area and calm distribution under pressure ensured Qarabag's pressure never rattled the visitors.

Player of the match: Bruno Jordão — for anchoring the clean sheet in a game that demanded defensive discipline.

Qarabag's 64% possession (per BBC Sport's live data) tells the story of a home side that controlled the tempo but lacked incision. The 0-0 scoreline, however, flatters neither side's attacking output. The single VAR intervention — the disallowed Kady Borges goal — was the only moment of genuine xG threat. CSKA Sofia registered zero shots on target in the first half, content to absorb pressure, and finished with a solitary effort on goal after the break. Qarabag's five second-half substitutions reflected a manager chasing a winner, but the home side's expected goals (xG) likely hovered below 1.0. This was a contest defined by defensive solidity, not attacking creativity.

The tie is wide open heading into the second leg at the Stadion Bâlgarska Armia in Sofia on 30 July 2026. Qarabag will rue the disallowed goal and their failure to convert territorial dominance into a lead, but a clean sheet away from home is a legitimate result. CSKA Sofia, who knocked out Derry City 5-3 on aggregate in the first qualifying round (despite fan riots causing a 15-minute suspension in the away leg and a subsequent €55,000 UEFA fine), will feel confident of progress on home soil. The winner of this tie advances to the third qualifying round, one step from the Europa League league phase.

A game of few chances but real tactical tension. Qarabag held the upper hand territorially but could not solve CSKA's deep block. The Sofia side, disciplined and compact, executed their game plan to perfection. The second leg promises more openness, as CSKA will need to take the initiative at home — a scenario that could suit Qarabag's counter-attacking threats. The tie is anyone's.