DUBLIN (Interstat) — Shamrock Rovers defeated Ludogorets 2-0 on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Tallaght Stadium in a UEFA Champions League fixture, snapping a four-match winless run and handing the Bulgarian visitors their first loss in three continental outings.

Aaron Greene opened the scoring in the 21st minute, converting a pass from Stefano Fiore to give the home side an early lead. Greene, a Dublin native and attacker, played the full 90 minutes and later received a yellow card in the 84th minute for a late tackle.

The score remained 1-0 through a tense second half dominated by yellow cards. Three Ludogorets players were booked in the opening 50 minutes: midfielder Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana in the 24th minute, forward Bernard Tekpetey in the 39th minute and defender Alex Paulo Menezes Santana in the 50th minute. Shamrock Rovers captain Ronan Michael Finn was cautioned in the 64th minute, followed by Richard Patrick Towell in the 66th minute.

Shamrock Rovers doubled the lead in the 88th minute when substitute Aidomo Emakhu, on the pitch for only 12 minutes, scored off an assist from Neil Farrugia. Emakhu’s goal proved decisive as Ludogorets pushed forward in stoppage time but could not find the net.

The victory improved Shamrock Rovers’ record in the competition to 1 win, 1 loss and 3 draws, and their overall season record across all competitions to 7 wins, 9 losses and 5 draws. Ludogorets fell to 4 wins, 2 losses and 5 draws in the Champions League, and their season record across all competitions dropped to 9 wins, 11 losses and 6 draws.

Ludogorets entered the match having lost three of their previous five continental games, including a 4-2 defeat to Servette on May 10 and a 3-1 loss at Servette on April 26. Their most recent win in the competition came Feb. 19 against Ferencvárosi TC, a 2-1 decision. Other European results this season included a 1-0 victory at Nice on Jan. 29, a 1-0 loss at Rangers FC on Jan. 22, a 3-3 draw with PAOK on Dec. 11, and a 3-2 win over AD Ceuta FC on Nov. 27.

Shamrock Rovers came into the game after a 1-0 defeat to Derry City FC on Jan. 31 in domestic play. Their previous Champions League results included a 3-1 win over Hamrun Spartans on Dec. 18, a 3-1 loss at UMF Breioablik on Dec. 11, a penalty shootout win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Dec. 6, and a 2-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk on Nov. 27. Other European matches featured a 1-1 draw at AEK on Nov. 6, a 2-0 loss to Celje on Oct. 23, and a 4-1 defeat at AC Sparta Praha on Oct. 2.

Ludogorets had a difficult time generating offense, managing only a single shot on target in the second half. Cauly Oliveira Souza, a Brazilian midfielder from Porto Seguro, played the full 90 minutes but was unable to convert any chances. The Bulgarian side earned multiple set pieces late but could not break through the Shamrock Rovers defense.

The match marked the first meeting between the two clubs in European competition. Both teams are scheduled to face each other again in the return leg, also on May 17, 2026, at Ludogorets’ home ground.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Shamrock Rovers 1, Ludogorets 1, while the Interstatl ELO system gave Ludogorets a 65.60 percent probability to win.