LUDOGORETS – HNK RIJEKA 3:1 (Piotrowski 19′, Chochev 107′, Ivanov 117’/Gojak 71′)

Ludogorets: Bonman – Son, Kurtulus, Vedron, Nedyalkov (Andersson 72′) – Stanić (Chouiar 61′), Piotrowski (Bile 105’+2′), P. Naressi (Chochev 84′) – Tekpetey (Kaloc 72′), E. Marcus, C. Vidal (Ivanov 83′)

HNK Rijeka: Zlomislić – Oreč (Jurić 111′), Majstorović, Radeljić, Devetak (Laisckas 70′) – Petrovič (Rukavina 46′), Janković, Dantas (Hušić 84′) – Menalo (Čop 60′), Ndockyt (Gojak 60′) – Fruk

The score at the end of the first half of the game between Ludogorets and Rijeka is 1-0 in favor of Ludogorets. The home team took the lead in the 19th minute when Jakub Piotrowski converted a penalty, giving the Bulgarian side the advantage.

The pace of the first half was lively – Ludogorets started more aggressively. They applied high pressure, allowing them to maintain more ball possession and create an early chance to score following a defensive mistake by Rijeka. After the goal, Rijeka became more active, attempting to combine and equalize, but the home team was well-organized and timely closed down approaches to their goal. Rijeka had several dangerous crosses and long-range attempts by the end of the half, but failed to create clear-cut chances.

Besides the goal, key moments included several brutal duels in midfield and a yellow card for a Rijeka player in the 39th minute due to a harsh foul. Both sides had chances, but Ludogorets showed better finishing and went into halftime with a minimal lead.

The second half of the match between Ludogorets and HNK Rijeka started with the score at 1-0 in favor of Ludogorets, after Jakub Piotrowski scored a penalty in the 19th minute. Rijeka managed to equalize in the 71st minute with a goal from Amer Gojak, reopening the match. During the second half, Rijeka increased the pressure and tried to threaten the home team through several chances created by players like Rukavina and Lasickas. Still, Ludogorets’ defense and goalkeeper were up to the task.

On the other hand, Ludogorets also had chances, primarily through fast counterattacks led by Tekpetey and Caio Vidal, but they failed to capitalize on them. Regarding cards, in the 49th minute, Mladen Devetak from Rijeka received a yellow card, followed shortly after by Son from Ludogorets. Unfortunately for Rijeka, Rukavina received a red card in the 77th minute for a reckless challenge. In stoppage time, Toni Fruk was shown a red card for violent conduct, leaving the team with one player less until the end of the match.

In the final minutes, Ludogorets pressed hard and tried to score the winning goal, but Rijeka’s defense did a good job and preserved the draw. The final score after the second half is 1-1, and the subsequent phases of the game will be decided in extra time or penalties.

In the extra time of the match in Razgrad, Ludogorets demonstrated why they are the hosts with European experience by scoring two goals and overwhelming Rijeka, who played with two fewer players. After a 1-1 score in regular time, Rijeka still managed to hold on somewhat during extra time, but the Bulgarians quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority. The first goal in extra time came after Rijeka’s defense ran out of breath, and Ludogorets scored from close range to retake the lead. Rijeka tried to respond, but with only nine players and running out of energy, it was practically impossible—the home team continued to press, and soon scored a second goal that definitively broke the Croatian side. Zlomislić still made several saves to prevent an even more convincing defeat.

In the end, Ludogorets deservedly celebrated a 3-1 aggregate victory, while Rijeka moves to the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The extra time clearly showed the difference in freshness and squad depth; the Bulgarians appeared much more dangerous, while Rijeka was falling apart under the pressure of a more vigorous and physically better-prepared opponent.

Ludogorets will travel to Budapest in the next qualifying round, where they will face the formidable challenge of the Hungarian champions Ferencváros. At the same time, Rijeka will seek a new opportunity for a European autumn against a familiar opponent – the Irish club Shelbourne. Rijeka’s journey in the Champions League qualifiers has come to an end, but they now face a new challenge in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

The Irish club is well-known, and Rijeka’s fans still remember how Shelbourne surprised Hajduk and eliminated them from Europe. For this reason, Rijeka must be fully focused and motivated – every detail in the two-legged tie could decide their European fate. Now is the time for concentration, thorough preparation, and imaginative play to rekindle the dream of another successful European campaign.