Botev Plovdiv achieved a dramatic 3:2 victory over Spartak Varna in a match from the 4th round of the First League. The match was played in front of over 4,000 spectators at the “Hristo Botev” stadium in Plovdiv.
The match will go down in history with its extremely tense development and the two electric shocks that interrupted the clash in both halves.
In the 5th minute, Vladimir Mendes crossed perfectly from the right, Franklin Mascotte intercepted it on the move and after the intervention of the VAR system, the goal was recognized – 1:0.
In the 13th minute, another shot by Mascotte was saved by Plamen Iliev. 2 minutes later, an electric shock cut off the power supply under the hills, and the excellent conditions of the “Kolezha” and the presence of a generator quickly restored the power supply.
After a 6-minute break, the match resumed, and in the 28th minute Botev scored a second goal. Carlos Meotti crossed from a corner, and the in-form Asen Chandarov scored his third goal in the third consecutive match for 2:0.
Shortly after, a dangerous shot by Chunchukov was saved by Naumov. In the 39th minute, the strong play of the “Canaries” led to a masterpiece goal by Samuel Kalu. The quick-footed player took control of the attack from the left and with a phenomenal shot, checked Iliev for 3:0.
What happened before the break in no way foreshadowed the drama that the two teams created. In the 58th minute, the visitors pulled one back, which came after the intervention of the VAR system.
In the 64th minute, Chidera Okoh came close to scoring a goal, but his shot into the far corner was saved by Iliev. In the 73rd minute, the power went out for the second time and play was again stopped for a few minutes.
The real drama came in the third minute of extra time. Anton Ivanov found Ahmed Ahmedov and the experienced striker returned the intrigue – 3:2. The “Yellow-Blacks” managed to maintain their lead in the remaining minutes and congratulated themselves with a second consecutive success.
Botev Plovdiv: 29. Daniel Naumov, 7. Nikola Iliev, 10. Asen Chandarov, 20. Denis Awany, 27. Bryan-Anthony Hein, 30. Franklin Mascotte, 66. Carlos Meotti, 77. Lucas Araujo, 82. Vladimir Mendes, 87. Simeon Petrov, 90. Samuel Kalu
