Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia - Champions League

Universitatea Craiova produced a spirited second-leg fightback but it ultimately proved insufficient as Levski Sofia advanced on a 3-2 aggregate. The Bulgarian side struck early and decisively — Everton Bala and Aldair combining to give Levski a commanding 0-2 lead inside 16 minutes, the second arriving from a corner that punished a Craiova side who had barely settled. That early double shifted the aggregate balance firmly in Levski's favour, and Craiova's task became enormous. Yet the Romanian hosts refused to capitulate: Nicușor Bancu pulled one back on the stroke of half-time and Adrian Rus levelled within three minutes of the restart, turning a cavernous deficit into a nervy finish. Craiova dominated territorially — 55% possession, 90 dangerous attacks to Levski's 42, and nine corners — but their xG efficiency told a more sobering story. Levski, despite being pinned back for much of the second period, managed five shots on target to Craiova's three, demonstrating the clinical edge that ultimately separated the sides across the two legs.