SOFIA, Bulgaria (Interstat) — PFK CSKA Sofia advanced in the Bulgarian Cup on Tuesday, securing a 2-0 victory over crosstown rival FK CSKA 1948 Sofia at Stadion Vasil Levski.

The match, a quarterfinal fixture in the domestic cup competition, was decided by an early goal from Ioannis Pittas and a late insurance score from Maks Ebonh. The result extends PFK CSKA Sofia’s perfect record in this season’s Cup to three wins and no losses, while FK CSKA 1948 Sofia’s tournament run ended, leaving them with two wins and one loss in the competition.

Pittas opened the scoring in the ninth minute, giving the home side a lead it would not relinquish. The early goal set the tone for a match where PFK CSKA Sofia controlled large portions of play. The victory also served as a measure of revenge for a league defeat earlier in the season, as FK CSKA 1948 Sofia had won the previous head-to-head meeting 1-0 last August.

The visiting team, which holds the more successful overall season record across all competitions with 11 wins, five losses and three draws, struggled to find an offensive rhythm against a disciplined PFK CSKA Sofia defense. The home team, now with eight wins, two losses and five draws overall this season, effectively closed down spaces and limited clear chances for their opponents.

The result was largely sealed in the 74th minute when Ebonh found the net, doubling the advantage and effectively extinguishing any hopes of a comeback for FK CSKA 1948 Sofia. The final scoreline exceeded the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 1-0 win for PFK CSKA Sofia. The same analytics system had given the home side a 63.90 percent probability of victory before kickoff.

The two city rivals are scheduled to meet again imminently in league play, with a Bulgarian First League match set for Saturday at the home ground of FK CSKA 1948 Sofia. That encounter will provide a quick opportunity for the visiting side to respond after their Cup elimination.

With the win, PFK CSKA Sofia moves into the semifinal round of the Bulgarian Cup, maintaining its pursuit of domestic silverware. The team’s form in the tournament, combined with a strong league campaign where it has suffered only two losses all season, marks it as a formidable contender. FK CSKA 1948 Sofia will now focus its efforts solely on the First League title race, where its overall record remains strong despite the Cup setback.