CSKA Sofia Crush Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 to End Winning Run in Europa League Qualifier

CSKA Sofia’s 3-0 Win Ends Maccabi’s Momentum

CSKA Sofia secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round at Batumi Arena on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Two first-half goals established control for the Bulgarian side before J. Zwarts added a late third, ending Maccabi Tel Aviv’s two-match winning run.

CSKA Sofia Strike Twice Before Half-Time

CSKA Sofia made the stronger start and took the lead after only nine minutes. M. Ebong completed an attack assisted by L. Godoy, giving the visitors an early advantage and immediately placing Maccabi Tel Aviv under pressure.

The second goal arrived in the 29th minute, when Godoy found the net after I. Pittas supplied the assist. Maccabi Tel Aviv were unable to produce a response before the interval, and CSKA Sofia’s 2-0 half-time lead gave them a firm platform for the remainder of the match.

Godoy Leads Decisive Attacking Display

Godoy was the central attacking figure in CSKA Sofia’s first-half performance. He contributed directly to both opening goals, setting up Ebong before scoring himself, while Pittas also played an important role with the assist for the second strike.

The visitors’ efficient finishing contrasted with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s difficulty in creating a way back into the contest. The Israeli side’s frustration was reflected in bookings for S. Abu Farkhi in the 31st minute and M. Camara in the 43rd, as CSKA Sofia protected their advantage effectively.

Late Zwarts Goal Completes Victory

Maccabi Tel Aviv needed a quick response after the break, but the score remained unchanged through most of the second half. CSKA Sofia continued to hold their two-goal cushion, with I. Pittas receiving a yellow card in the 54th minute as the match became more physical.

The final decisive moment came in the 90th minute. J. Zwarts scored after an assist from Pastor, adding a third goal and completing CSKA Sofia’s convincing victory; Zwarts had also been booked five minutes earlier, while S. Sensi was cautioned during the late period.

Result Extends Contrasting Form Trends

The result extended CSKA Sofia’s positive sequence after they entered the match with three wins and a draw in their four most recent games. Their disciplined performance, early scoring and late finish turned that momentum into a comprehensive European result.

Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived on the back of consecutive victories but could not maintain that form against an opponent that punished them in both halves. Further cautions for R. Shlomo, alongside the earlier bookings for Abu Farkhi and Camara, underlined a difficult evening, while no current standings data is available to determine the precise effect on either team’s league position.