Bulgaria earned their first victory of the 2026 UEFA Nations League campaign with a convincing 2 0 success against Luxembourg at the Stade de Luxembourg.
The visitors made an impressive start and opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Kristiyan Balov. Emil Tsenov provided the assist before Balov found the finish to put Bulgaria in control early in the contest.
Luxembourg attempted to respond, but their task became more difficult when Atanas Iliev doubled the advantage in the 34th minute. Georgi Rusev created the opportunity, allowing Iliev to make it 2 0 before the interval.
The hosts returned after the break determined to find a way back into the match. They enjoyed 62 percent possession and registered 18 attempts across the game, compared with Bulgaria’s 13. Luxembourg also produced seven efforts on target, while the visitors managed five.
Despite that pressure, Bulgarian goalkeeper Daniel Naumov delivered an important performance to protect his clean sheet. Luxembourg created several late opportunities, including efforts from Aiman Dardari and Mathias Olesen, but Naumov was equal to the danger.
Bulgaria remained organised during the closing stages and successfully defended the advantage established in the opening half. The result also provided a measure of revenge after Luxembourg had beaten them 2 1 in Bulgaria during their opening Group C4 encounter in September.
The victory lifted Bulgaria to four points from four matches, with one win, one draw and two defeats. Luxembourg remained on three points after suffering their third consecutive Nations League loss.
For Bulgaria, the result provides a welcome boost after a difficult beginning to the campaign. Luxembourg, meanwhile, must regroup before their remaining fixtures as they look to climb away from the bottom of Group C4.
