Bulgaria Lost 0:2 to Italy in Second Consecutive WC Qualification in Sofia

The national team of Bulgaria lost 0:2 to Italy in its second world qualification.

The defeat is the first in the history of Bulgarian football to "Squadra Azzurri" on our field, after the previous six visits of the Italians we had two wins and four draws. The representative team of Bulgaria remained without a victory in an official match from November 2019, and in the last 24 matches there are only two victories and as many as 39 goals conceded.

The defeats in this period are as many as 15. At the other pole are the "Azzurri", who have not lost 24 games, and in them they have allowed only nine goals, and in the last nine games only once some have scored against them. The coach Petrov made six changes among the starters from the 1: 3 loss to Switzerland a few days ago. Roberto Mancini also made six changes from the 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland.

Andrea Belotti gave the visitors the lead after a very controversial penalty in the 43rd minute, and reserve Manuel Locatelli doubled in the 82nd minute.

Italy opened the scoring after Napoli captain Insigne  put out Belotti, who fell to the ground after very light contact with Dimov. Referee Slavko Vincic showed the spot, giving an excessive penalty in favor of the four-time world champions.

In the second half, in a counterattack in the 55th minute, referee Vincic showed a double standard and did not award a penalty for the "lions" for handball.

A nice goal by Locatelli in the 82nd minute decided the match.

Sassuolo's player was left to shoot in the penalty area and with a technical shot left no chances for Plamen Iliev. A little later, Imobile missed alone against Iliev, who made a great save.

In the added time, Bulgarian goalkeeper again showed a good reflex...