Bulgaria’s under-19 national team lost to Andorra 1:2 in a decisive match for qualifying for the elite round of Euro 2024.
The Lionesses opened the scoring at the end of the first half after a goal by Slavia’s talent – Martin Georgiev.
In the second part, however, everything turned upside down.
First, Biel Bora Font equalized the score in the 51st minute, and a little later Kristian Balov received a straight red card.
Andorran dominance followed and in the 65th minute, Alex Molins equalized after a corner.
It turned out to be only the second defeat for Andorra since 2007.
Both teams failed to progress to the next phase, with the home nations finishing last.
In the other game in this group, Scotland dealt with Serbia and won 2-1 to finish as leaders. The Serbs are also moving forward despite the defeat.
Andorra started the match a little better and in the 4th minute Karau tried a diagonal shot, but Alex Bozhev saved.
For the first 20 minutes, the “lion cubs” were behind in possession of the ball and rarely managed to reach something more dangerous offensively. Andorra’s juniors apparently had a better combination, but they also did not manage to threaten Bozhev.
After half a game, Andorra missed a 100 percent goal chance. Karau received a pass on the left flank and crossed parallel to the goal line. On the edge of the penalty area, Linares Boutarfas was involved, who intercepted the ball with the inside of his foot, but sent the ball over the goal.
The Lions got one of their few shots on goal in the 39th minute. Preslav Bachev tried a shot from about 30 meters, but it went wide.
Bulgaria opened the scoring in the 42nd minute. After a mix-up caused by the execution of a corner kick, the ball was cleared, but again reached Mihail Tsonev. He crossed in a wonderful way and found Martin Georgiev, who headed the ball into the net.
The second half did not start well for our boys. In just 6 minutes of play after the break, Andorra managed to equalize. Bora Font was forgotten at the second post and took advantage of a good pass to sign off.
Immediately after the goal, the bad news continued. Kristian Balov got himself a silly red card after deliberately kicking an opposing player.
25 minutes before the end, Andorra turned the score around. After a corner kick, Alex Molins intercepted the ball and sent it into the corner – 2:1.
Although with a man less, the Bulgarians pressed in the last minutes of the match and missed several good opportunities. However, a goal was never achieved and the “lion cubs” lost the match.
FT ANDORRA – BULGARIA 2:1
1:0 Martin Georgiev 42′
1:1 Bora Font 51′
2:1 Alex Molins 64′
CK Christian Balov 54′
Andorra: 1. Meirelles, 18. Molins, 8. Acosta, 21. Rodriguez, 22. Bora Font, 15. Obiols Kamps, 10. Torne, 9. Linares Boutarfas, 6. Foch De La Rosa, 19. Carau, 11. Guma
Breeder Jesus Losendo
Bulgaria: 1. Alex Bozhev, 7. Zahari Atanasov, 6. Martin Georgiev, 5. Rosen Marinov, 3. Mikhail Tsonev, 18. Chung Nguyen Do, 8. Antoine Stoyanov, 14. Damian Yordanov, 22. Stefan Traikov, 11. Borislav Marinov , 9. Preslav Bachev
Breeder Yordan Petkov
Tags: Bulgaria U19 lost Andorra failed qualify elite Football National Team
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