Ludogorets did it! The champions took out Olympiacos and will proceed to the Champions League playoffs. The 4:1 win was achieved in the added time after the match ended with an even 2:2 score.

The coach Dambrauskas chose the 3-4-2-1 configuration. Cauly almost scored in the 17^th minute but he sent the ball out. Ikoko did the same minutes later. Olympiacos took the lead in the 31^st minute when Masuras passed the ball to M’vila who scored in motion. Ludogorets evened the score in the 49^th minute. Sotiriou tried to score with his head but Semedo scored his own goal instead. This was Ludogorets’ 150^th goal in a European tournament.

The home team earned the right to a penalty kick in the 56^th minute after Andrutsous fouled Despodov. Sotiriou scored for 2:1. Olympiacos also earned a penalty kick, albeit a controversial one. El-Arabi scored for 2:2. The referee acted in an outrageous manner and gave Verdon a red card for replying to him but then cancelled the penalty. Sotiriou almost scored in the 75^th minute but Tsolakis saved. Despodov had his chances seconds later but also failed.

The home was better in the added time. When the time for the penalty kicks came, Sotiriou scored. Albuena sent the ball above the gate next. Santana added a second goal and Kahlina saved Hasan’s kick. Verdon scored next but so did Lala. The fourth penalty kick for Ludogorets was scored by Cicinho and the final 4:1 score was shaped.

The Champions League is coming to Razgrad!

LUDOGORETS - OLYMPIACOS 2:2 (4:1 after penalty kicks)

0:1 M’vila (31‘) 1:1 Cemedo – own goal (49‘) 2:1 Sotiriou - penalty (57‘) 2:2 El-Arabi - penalty (68‘) 3:2 Sotiriou – penalty (120‘) 4:2 Santana – penalty (120‘) 5:2 Оливие Вердон – penalty (120‘) 5:3 Lala – penalty (120‘) 6:3 Cicinho – penalty (120‘)

LUDOGORETS: Kahlina, Ikoko (106 – Cicinho), Plastun, Verdon, Sa (94 – Rotariu), Nedyalkov, Badji (88 – Santana), Goncalves, Despodov, Sotiriou, Oliveira (106 – Yankov)

OLYMPIACOS: Tsolakis, Reabchuk, Ba, Semedo, Andrutsous (118 – Lala), Kamara, Buhalakis (54 – Papastopulous), M’Vila (91 – Malong), Masuras (89 – Sise), El-Arabi (106 – Hasan), Vrusai (65 – Valbuena)

Yellow cards: Badji, Verdon, Goncalves (LUDOGORETS); Ba, Reabchuk (OLYMPIACOS)

Red card: Ba (OLYMPIACOS)