Hapoel Tel Aviv Stuns Ludogorets with 2-0 Victory in Bulgaria

On July 23, Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a notable 2-0 away win against Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad in a European competition match. The game, marked by a strong performance from Hapoel under coach Eliniv Berda, drew sharp criticism from Bulgarian media. Ludogorets, described as struggling and lacking ideas, suffered their first European defeat of the season. Bulgarian sports outlets highlighted the defensive lapses that allowed Hapoel to score twice, once in each half, and emphasized the challenge Ludogorets faces to overturn the result in the upcoming second leg in Razgrad.

A standout player was Hapoel's Bulgarian midfielder Adrian Kraiev, who is notably associated with Ludogorets' rival, Levski Sofia. Bulgarian reports specifically pointed to Kraiev's influence, stating Ludogorets "collapsed against Adrian Kraiev and his teammates." One Bulgarian headline controversially framed the loss as "The Jews slapped Ludogorets," underscoring the intensity of local reactions to the defeat. The match was seen as a tough contest with both teams appearing evenly matched in quality, but Ludogorets' defense ultimately faltered.

The result places Ludogorets in a difficult position in the European competition, with urgent changes needed to remain in the tournament. The second leg in Razgrad will be critical for the Bulgarian side to attempt a comeback.