Bulgaria’s Victory Against Belarus in the UEFA Nations League
An Unexpected Outcome
On June 2, 2023, Bulgaria and Belarus faced off in Varna, Bulgaria, for a UEFA Nations League match. Many expected Belarus to win, due to their superior FIFA ranking and recent form. However, Bulgaria defied the odds and secured a stunning 2-1 victory.
First Half Dominance
Bulgaria started the match brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute through a well-taken goal from Kiril Despodov. They continued to dominate possession and create chances, but failed to extend their lead before halftime.
Belarus Fight Back
Belarus came out stronger in the second half and equalized in the 65th minute through a close-range finish from Vitali Lisakovich. The visitors then pushed for a winner, but the Bulgarian defense held firm.
Dramatic Winner
As the match entered the final stages, it seemed destined for a draw. However, in the 89th minute, Bulgaria launched a quick counterattack, which resulted in Despodov scoring his second goal of the game. The strike sent the home crowd into raptures and sealed a famous victory.
Player Ratings
- Bulgaria: Iliev 7, Ajeti 7, Antov 8, Nedyalkov 7, Karagaren 7, Chochev 8, Despodov 9, Nedelev 7, Yomov 6, Kraev 6, Iliev 6
- Belarus: Scherbitski 6, Bordachev 6, Martynovich 6, Shvetsov 6, Ebong 6, Sedko 5, Bakhar 5, Lisakovich 7, Solovey 6, Klimovich 5, Savitski 5
Conclusion
Bulgaria’s victory against Belarus was a major upset and a significant result for the team. It will give them confidence going into the rest of the Nations League campaign and could be a turning point in their development.
