CSKA Sofia Secures 3-0 Victory Over Maccabi Tel Aviv

Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 CSKA Sofia at Batumi Arena, a comprehensive away win that puts the Bulgarians in complete control of this UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. With CSKA sharper in both boxes and repeatedly exploiting Maccabi’s defensive structure, the margin of victory reflects a night where the visitors’ attacking cohesion and discipline outstripped a blunt home side.

Match Report

The tone was set early. On 9', CSKA Sofia goal — M. Ebong (assisted by L. Godoy). A well-timed run from midfield was matched by Godoy’s service, and Ebong’s composed finish gave CSKA a 1-0 lead, immediately forcing Maccabi Tel Aviv to chase the game.

CSKA’s aggression in midfield brought the first caution on 18', B. Jordao (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding), as he halted a Maccabi transition.

On 29', CSKA Sofia doubled their advantage: CSKA Sofia goal — L. Godoy (assisted by I. Pittas). Pittas combined cleverly on the left and slipped Godoy into space, and the forward’s low finish across the keeper made it 2-0 to the visitors, punishing Maccabi’s loose defensive spacing between centre-backs and full-backs.

Maccabi’s frustration surfaced on 31', S. Abu Farkhi (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding), after a late attempt to stop a CSKA break. Further defensive strain led to another caution on 43', M. Camara (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Holding), as CSKA again found pockets between the lines.

At half-time, Maccabi reacted with a double change. On 46', N. Ben Harush replaced S. Rosen (Maccabi Tel Aviv), aiming for more dynamism at left-back. Simultaneously on 46', T. Asante replaced I. Ben Hamo (Maccabi Tel Aviv), a like-for-like defensive adjustment to add physical presence on the right.

CSKA’s forward line continued to stretch Maccabi, and on 54', I. Pittas (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Holding), as he was booked for a tussle while pressing high.

On 66', CSKA freshened midfield and attack: J. Eto'o replaced B. Jordao (CSKA Sofia), adding legs in the centre, and J. Zwarts replaced I. Pittas (CSKA Sofia), introducing a more direct runner up front. Maccabi responded with their own attacking reshuffle on 66', O. Davida replaced I. Shahar (Maccabi Tel Aviv), seeking more creativity between the lines, and on 66', E. Sokler replaced S. Abu Farkhi (Maccabi Tel Aviv) to change the profile of the central striker.

Still chasing the game, Maccabi made another offensive switch on 77', E. Madmon replaced H. Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv), trying to inject energy and late runs from midfield. CSKA, meanwhile, managed their advantage on 78', M. Brahimi replaced L. Godoy (CSKA Sofia), preserving their goalscorer and adding fresh legs on the flank.

As tensions rose late on, 85' brought a pair of cautions: J. Zwarts (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) following a flare-up, and moments later 85', R. Shlomo (Maccabi Tel Aviv) — yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct), reflecting Maccabi’s growing frustration as time ran out.

CSKA then sealed the result in regulation time. On 90', CSKA Sofia goal — J. Zwarts (assisted by Pastor). A driving overlap from right-back Pastor created the angle, his delivery finding Zwarts, who finished clinically to make it 3-0 and punish Maccabi’s stretched back line in transition.

Immediately after that contribution, CSKA made a final defensive switch on 90+1', Leo Pereira replaced Pastor (CSKA Sofia), shoring up the flank for the closing moments. One final booking arrived on 90+4', S. Sensi (CSKA Sofia) — yellow card (Tripping), as he halted a late Maccabi surge to preserve the clean sheet.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: not available vs not available
• Possession: 49% vs 51%
• Shots on Target: 2 vs 7
• Goalkeeper Saves: not available vs not available (must mirror opponent's shots on target)
• Blocked Shots: 0 vs 6

With CSKA Sofia registering more than triple the shots on target (2 vs 7) and significantly more blocked efforts (0 vs 6), the visitors consistently generated better shooting positions and sustained pressure in the final third. The near-even share of possession (49% vs 51%) underlines that this was not about ball dominance but about what each side did with it: CSKA were more incisive and vertical, turning their phases into clear chances, while Maccabi’s sterile control rarely progressed into the box. Even without xG values, the distribution of on-target attempts and blocked shots strongly supports a fair 3-0 scoreline in favour of a CSKA side that controlled territory and transitions far more effectively.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data available, the immediate impact is framed in European terms: CSKA Sofia leave Batumi with a commanding 3-0 away advantage in this 3rd Qualifying Round tie, giving them a strong platform for the return leg and placing Maccabi Tel Aviv under severe pressure to produce a near-perfect performance in the second game to keep their Europa League campaign alive.

Lineups & Personnel

Maccabi Tel Aviv Starting XI

• GK: Ofek Melika
• DF: Itai Ben Hamo, Mohamed Camara, Raz Shlomo, Shahar Rosen
• MF: Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar, Issouf Sissokho, Dor Peretz, Hélio Varela
• FW: Saied Abu Farchi

CSKA Sofia Starting XI

• GK: Fedor Lapoukhov
• DF: Pastor, Teodor Ivanov, Facundo Rodríguez, Ángelo Martino
• MF: Max Ebong, Bruno Jordão, Stefano Sensi
• FW: Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Leandro Godoy, Ioannis Pittas

Post-Match Verdict

CSKA Sofia delivered a clinical attacking display (7 shots on target to 2) built on compact defending and sharp transitions. Their front line repeatedly isolated Maccabi’s full-backs, while midfielders like Ebong and Jordão controlled second balls and tempo, allowing CSKA to convert territorial pressure into three well-constructed goals. Maccabi Tel Aviv, by contrast, were offensively blunt (only 2 shots on target and 0 blocked shots), struggling to break CSKA’s compact 4-3-3 block and resorting too often to hopeful entries rather than structured combinations. The accumulation of yellow cards and multiple defensive substitutions underlined a side reacting to problems rather than dictating the contest. Over 90 minutes, the numbers and the pattern of chances align: CSKA’s superior organisation and efficiency fully justified their 3-0 away win.