Nigerian forward Bamidele Yusuf scored but Ferencvárosi TC were beaten 2-1 by Ludogorets Razgrad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-off on Thursday.
The hosts made a bright start when Ghana international Kwadwo Duah fired them ahead in the 23rd minute, but Ferencváros responded quickly.
A ball into the area from Mohammed Abu Fani picked out Yusuf, who held off his marker before driving a near-post finish beyond goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann to restore parity in the 27th minute.
Bamidele Yusuf. Photo Credit: Imago
Ferencváros nearly completed the turnaround three minutes before half-time when Franko Kovačević raced into the box and found himself one-on-one with Bonmann, but the Ludogorets goalkeeper produced a vital save to keep the sides level.
The meeting marked the fourth encounter between the teams this season across UEFA Champions League qualifying and the Europa League, and the contest remained finely balanced for much of the second period.
Ferencváros appeared the more threatening side after the interval and almost edged ahead shortly after the hour mark when Yusuf’s deflected effort from inside the area looped narrowly over the crossbar.
Photo Credit: Imago
Moments later, however, Ludogorets reclaimed the initiative in spectacular fashion. A clever dummy by Son wrong-footed Gavriel Kanichowsky, creating space for the defender to unleash a left-footed strike from 25 yards which flew into the top corner to restore the hosts’ advantage in the 67th minute.
Yusuf was withdrawn late on for Zsombor Gruber, his goal ending a four-match drought and taking his tally to 11 in all competitions this season. The strike also improved his Europa League return to three goals and one assist in eight appearances.
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Ludogorets thought they had added a third in stoppage time through Caio Vidal, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Photo Credit: Imago
Nevertheless, the Bulgarian side extended their winning run to six matches in all competitions and carry a slender advantage into next week’s return leg in Hungary.
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Ferencváros remain firmly in contention but must overturn a one-goal deficit if they are to match last season’s run to the Europa League round of 16.
