RAZGRAD, Bulgaria (Interstat) — PFK CSKA Sofia delivered a significant early-season statement Tuesday afternoon, upsetting domestic rival PFK Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad 2-1 in a Bulgarian Cup match at Huvepharma Arena. The victory defied pregame projections and handed the visiting Army Men a crucial advantage in the competition.

Playing on the road against the favored hosts, CSKA Sofia seized control early. Striker Kwadwo Duah broke through in the 18th minute, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead they would carry deep into the match. The goal set a defensive tone for CSKA, who effectively managed the game for over an hour against a Ludogorets side expected to dominate.

Interstat’s pregame metrics had heavily favored the hosts, projecting Ludogorets with a 64.4 percent probability to win and simulating a final score of 1-0 in their favor. For much of the match, that lone simulated goal for Ludogorets failed to materialize as CSKA’s organized defense held firm.

The home side’s persistence finally paid off in the 82nd minute when forward Ioannis Pittas found the equalizer, setting up a frantic finale. The momentum, however, was shockingly short-lived. Just three minutes later, in the 85th minute, CSKA Sofia’s Santiago Godoy answered immediately, restoring the visitors’ lead with a decisive goal that ultimately sealed the match.

The result provides a major boost to CSKA Sofia’s campaign, marking a perfect start in the Bulgarian Cup and across all competitions this season. The team now holds one win and no losses in both the cup and its overall record. Conversely, the loss is a setback for Ludogorets, a perennial power in Bulgarian football, which begins its season with one loss in the cup and across all competitions.

The match, played on April 21, 2026, represents more than just an early cup victory for CSKA. By defeating Ludogorets on their home pitch despite being statistical underdogs, the team has secured not only a vital result but also a potentially critical psychological edge. The quick response to Ludogorets’ late equalizer demonstrated a resilience that will serve as a foundation as both teams progress through the tournament.

With this result, CSKA Sofia takes control of its cup destiny while handing Ludogorets an immediate challenge in a competition where margin for error is often slim. The early-season clash underscores the competitive nature of Bulgarian football’s premier knockout tournament.