“Dimitrios Nikolaou was shown a yellow card for roughing as CSKA's frustration began to surface in an increasingly tetchy first half.”
“Thiago Nuss broke the deadlock, converting an assist from Achilleas Poungouras to make it 0-1 and put the tie beyond any mathematical doubt on the night.”
Pivotal“Back-to-back yellow cards in the space of a single minute — Bruno Jordão for roughing and an unnamed CSKA player for a foul — underlined the volatile atmosphere as CSKA chased a goal they had no realistic hope of converting into a comeback.”
“Giannis Theodosoulakis, on the pitch for barely a minute after replacing Thiago Nuss, swept home an assist from Giannis Apostolakis to make it 0-2 and seal a 5-0 aggregate romp for OFI.”
Pivotal
CSKA Sofia
OFI
Outstanding performance
OFI•GoalkeeperWith a 3-0 first-leg cushion already secured, OFI arrived in Sofia needing only to manage the occasion, and they did precisely that with composed efficiency. The Greek side conceded possession — CSKA controlled 56% — but were far more clinical, creating five big chances to the hosts' one and converting twice for a 2-0 win that extended the aggregate scoreline to an emphatic 5-0. Thiago Nuss got OFI moving at 36 minutes, capitalising on an assist from Achilleas Poungouras, before substitute Giannis Theodosoulakis rubber-stamped the victory just seconds after coming on at 78 minutes, assisted by Giannis Apostolakis. CSKA's frustration boiled over in a spiky first half that produced four yellow cards, but their 19 shots — only six on target — reflected a side that created noise without real menace. For OFI, this is a statement passage into the next round of the Europa League; for CSKA Sofia, a chastening elimination that exposes the gap between the two clubs at this level.
How entertaining was this match?
Andrey Yordanov is substituted off for Angelo Martino.
Borja Gonzalez Tejada comes on for Lorenzo Dickmann.
Kresimir Krizmanic comes on for Christos Sielis.
assist: Giannis Apostolakis
Goal! Giannis Theodosoulakis scores to make it 0-2, assisted by Giannis Apostolakis.
On Giannis Theodosoulakis, off Thiago Nuss.
On Zisis Karachalios, off Andreas Bouchalakis.
Léo Pereira comes on for Ioannis Pittas.
Substitution: Giannis Apostolakis comes on for Aitor Cantalapiedra.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Petko Panayotov comes on for Catalin Mihai Itu.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Joel Zwarts is substituted for Bruno Jordao.
On comes Isaac Solet, and David Samuel Custodio Lima goes off.
First half ends with the score at 0-1.
Corner awarded.
Bruno Jordao receives a yellow card.
Yellow card issued to Catalin Mihai Itu.
Corner awarded.
assist: Achilleas Poungouras
Goal! Thiago Nuss scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Achilleas Poungouras.
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
Dimitrios NikolaouYellow CardDimitrios Nikolaou receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Kick-off! The referee is Ivan Kruzliak.
