CSKA Sofia reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League despite suffering a heavy home defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Bulgarian side advanced to the decisive playoff round with a 4-3 aggregate victory, having won the first leg away from home 3-0.
The result means CSKA are guaranteed European football through Christmas. Even if the Reds are eliminated by OFI Crete in the playoff round, they will continue their continental campaign in the group stage of the Conference League, UEFA's third-tier club competition.
The second leg in Sofia proved anything but straightforward for CSKA, who came close to losing the advantage built in the first match. Maccabi took control early, with Dor Peretz opening the scoring in the 12th minute.
CSKA struggled to respond and, despite efforts to turn the game around after the break, Maccabi doubled their lead in the 61st minute through Ester Sokler.
The visitors moved within one goal of forcing extra time just eight minutes later when CSKA goalkeeper Fyodor Lopoukhov put the ball into his own net, making it 3-0 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate.
