Ludogorets vs Real Betis

In Razgrad on October 2, 2025, Real Betis earned their first Europa League group stage victory with a 2–0 away win over Ludogorets. The Bulgarian champions entered the match unbeaten in their last six across all competitions, but Betis, despite missing several starters through injury, looked sharp and purposeful from the outset. Manuel Pellegrini’s men set the tone by controlling possession in midfield, with Guido Rodríguez anchoring play and Giovani Lo Celso orchestrating attacks between the lines. Ludogorets tried to press aggressively in the opening stages, but Betis’ composure quickly silenced the early energy from the home crowd.

The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute after Betis had begun to dictate the tempo. A quick switch of play down the right flank found Natan pushing forward to support the attack, and his delivery reached Lo Celso at the edge of the box. The Argentine midfielder took a touch to steady himself before driving a left-footed strike low into the far corner, beating Sergio Padt with precision. The finish gave Betis a deserved lead, punishing Ludogorets for leaving too much space in central areas. Ludogorets’ attempts to respond before halftime were snuffed out by a disciplined Betis back line marshalled by Germán Pezzella.

Ludogorets came out aggressively after the break, looking to use their pace on the flanks to trouble Real Betis. Caio Vidal and Bernard Tekpetey both tried to stretch the Spanish defence, and Kiril Despodov forced Rui Silva into a save with a curling shot from distance. However, just as the hosts began to build momentum, disaster struck. In the 53rd minute, a Betis counterattack ended with a low cross fizzing into the box, and defender Son inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear under pressure. The own goal doubled Betis’ advantage and left Ludogorets facing an uphill battle.

With a two-goal cushion, Betis shifted into game-management mode. Pellegrini brought on Marc Roca and Ez Abde to add fresh legs, and the team sat deeper, inviting Ludogorets forward while looking to break on the counter. Ludogorets pushed men forward in search of a way back, but their decision-making in the final third let them down. Betis, compact and organized, dealt with the increased pressure calmly, with Luiz Henrique even coming close to adding a third on the break, only to see his shot saved by Padt. The hosts’ frustration was evident as misplaced passes and rushed shots wasted promising build-ups.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–0 Betis victory, a result that lifted them back into contention in their Europa League group. Lo Celso’s goal and Son’s unfortunate own goal were the decisive moments, but the match was equally defined by Betis’ ability to remain composed under pressure in a difficult away atmosphere. Pellegrini praised his squad’s maturity afterward: “We defended when we had to and punished mistakes when they came.” For Ludogorets, the defeat was a reminder that lapses in concentration at this level are costly, especially against opponents who thrive on control and efficiency.

Watch and Download Ludogorets vs Real Betis full match replay and highlights, At Thursday, October 02, 2025. The match played at Huvepharma Arena, in Europa League, UEFA.

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