CSKA Sofia 'demolishes' Maccabi 3-0, nears OFI Crete's path in Europa League

CSKA Sofia has taken a decisive step towards the Europa League playoffs, achieving a dominant 3-0 victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Bulgarian Cup winners showcased a powerful performance in Batumi, where Maccabi played as the nominal home team, establishing a substantial lead ahead of the return leg in Sofia. The match saw CSKA Sofia take an early lead in the 9th minute with a goal from Ebong, setting the tone for their aggressive play. They extended their advantage in the 29th minute when Gonty, assisted by Pitta, scored the second goal, making it 0-2. The final score was sealed in the 90th minute by Zwart, who added a third goal, securing a comfortable win for his team and bringing them very close to advancing to the next stage.

The return match is scheduled for August 13th in Sofia, where CSKA Sofia will aim to defend their significant lead. This victory positions them as the clear favorites to progress and potentially face Greek team OFI Crete in the subsequent playoff round. OFI Crete is set to play their first match on August 20th at the Pankritiko Stadium, with the away leg taking place on August 27th. CSKA Sofia's commanding performance not only puts them in a strong position in the Europa League but also sets up an intriguing potential matchup in the next phase of the competition.