Maccabi Tel-Aviv v CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel-Aviv played against CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa League qualifying round. The match took place on August 6, 2026. CSKA Sofia won the game with a final score of three to zero.

The visiting team started strong from the opening whistle. Max Ebong scored the first goal in the ninth minute. Leandro Godoy provided the assist for the opening strike.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv struggled to find their rhythm on the pitch. The home defense leaked space in the center. CSKA Sofia capitalized on these defensive lapses early.

Santiago Godoy doubled the lead before the break. He scored with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box. Ioannis Pittas delivered the assist for the second goal.

Second Half Action

Both teams made tactical substitutions at the start of the second half. Maccabi Tel-Aviv brought on fresh legs to spark an attack. CSKA Sofia maintained their defensive shape and absorbed the pressure.

The referee issued several yellow cards for aggressive challenges. Mohamed Ali Camara received a booking for a bad foul. Stefano Sensi also entered the referee notebook later in the half.

CSKA Sofia controlled the tempo of the game. Their midfielders distributed the ball cleanly. Maccabi Tel-Aviv failed to register meaningful shots on target.

Joel Zwarts sealed the victory in the final moments of the match. He scored with a left-footed shot into the high centre of the goal. Pastor provided the assist for the third goal.

Match Conclusion

The match ended with a comprehensive three-goal win for CSKA Sofia. The visitors displayed clinical finishing and solid defensive organization. Maccabi Tel-Aviv lacked sharpness in the final third.

The coaching staff noted that the team executed the tactical plan effectively. The players maintained discipline throughout the ninety minutes. This away performance gives them a strong advantage.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv must improve their defensive stability before the next fixture. The team failed to create clear scoring chances. The tactical approach requires adjustment for future European matches.

Starting lineups included Ofek Melika for Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Fedor Lapoukhov for CSKA Sofia. Substitutes featured Elad Madmon, Osher Davida, James Eto'o, and Léo Pereira. Both teams utilized their squad depth in the second half.