RAZGRAD, Bulgaria (Interstat) — FK CSKA 1948 Sofia defeated PFK Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad 2-1 on Saturday at Huvepharma Arena in a First League match that featured four first-half goals and a second consecutive victory for the visiting side.

Erick Marcus scored twice, netting the eventual winner in the 40th minute, to lift CSKA 1948 to 15 wins, seven losses and four draws in league play and 17 wins, eight losses and four draws overall.

The match erupted early when Brian Sobrero put CSKA 1948 ahead in the eighth minute. Marcus doubled the lead in the 18th minute, but Ludogorets pulled one back through Mamadou Diallo in the 26th minute. Marcus restored the two-goal advantage before halftime, and the defenses held in a scoreless second half.

Ludogorets dropped to 12 wins, five losses and four draws in the league and 15 wins, six losses and four draws across all competitions.

The result flipped the narrative from the teams’ previous meeting April 5, when Ludogorets won 3-0 at home. CSKA 1948 had also beaten Ludogorets 5-4 on Oct. 27 in a high-scoring affair.

CSKA 1948 entered the match on a three-game winning streak, having defeated PFK Cherno More Varna 4-0 on April 15, FK Botev Vratsa 1-0 on April 10 and Lokomotiv 1929 3-2 on March 21.

Ludogorets came in after a 2-1 loss to PFK CSKA Sofia on April 21, a 1-0 loss at PFK Arda 1924 Kardzhali on April 15 and a scoreless draw with PFK Cherno More Varna on April 9.

The home side had won the previous league meeting between the clubs by three goals, but CSKA 1948 showed resilience with an early surge and a quick response after Ludogorets cut the deficit.

Sobrero’s goal came from a well-worked move that caught the Ludogorets defense off balance. Marcus then struck from distance to make it 2-0. Diallo’s header from a corner gave Ludogorets hope, but Marcus answered with a close-range finish to restore CSKA 1948’s lead.

Ludogorets pressed for an equalizer in the second half but could not beat the CSKA 1948 goalkeeper. The visitors managed the game effectively, absorbing pressure and clearing danger.

CSKA 1948 improved its away form with the win. The team had lost on the road to Ludogorets in their previous trip to Razgrad, but Saturday’s performance demonstrated sharper finishing and defensive organization.

The victory also kept CSKA 1948 in contention near the top of the league table, while Ludogorets lost ground after dropping points at home.

Both teams will face busy schedules as the season progresses toward its conclusion. Ludogorets will look to rebound on the road, while CSKA 1948 aims to extend its winning streak.

The Interstat game simulator had projected a final score of PFK Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad 1, FK CSKA 1948 Sofia 1, a draw. The Interstat ELO system gave Ludogorets a 63.10 percent probability to win the match before kickoff.