FC Dunav Ruse advanced in the Bulgarian Cup with a 3-2 win over Rilski Sportist on 17 October 2026, edging a five-goal tie that kept swinging until the closing stages. The visitors from Ruse found the decisive goal late in the second half, ending a brave home challenge and booking their place in the next round.

A cup tie with momentum swings

Rilski Sportist started brightly in front of their own supporters and looked eager to take the game to their more established opponents. The home side pressed high in the opening minutes, but Dunav Ruse absorbed that early energy and struck first through a quick counter-attack. Martin Dimitrov finished calmly after being released into space, giving the visitors a 12th-minute lead.

Rilski responded well. Rather than folding, they pushed more bodies forward and found an equaliser on 27 minutes when Georgi Kolev converted from close range after a goalmouth scramble. The tie was level, but only briefly. Dunav restored their advantage four minutes before half-time when Aleksandar Ivanov rose well to head home from a set piece, sending the visitors into the break with a 2-1 cushion.

Key moments

• 12' — Martin Dimitrov opens the scoring for Dunav Ruse after a fast break.
• 27' — Georgi Kolev equalises for Rilski Sportist from inside the box.
• 41' — Aleksandar Ivanov heads Dunav back in front.
• 58' — Nikola Stoyanov levels again for the hosts with a well-worked team goal.
• 84' — Petar Todorov scores the winner for Dunav with a low finish.

Tactical story

Dunav Ruse controlled the middle of the pitch for long spells and looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball wide quickly. Their ability to switch play stretched Rilski Sportist’s back line, and the visitors’ midfielders consistently found pockets of space between the lines. Rilski’s best moments came from transitions, with their wide players driving at defenders and forcing Dunav to defend deep.

The home side’s second equaliser underlined their resilience, but it also left them exposed as they chased a winner. Dunav used that space well in the final 15 minutes and found the decisive goal through Todorov, whose low strike from the edge of the area beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

Standout performers

Todorov was the obvious match-winner for Dunav Ruse, but Dimitrov’s early goal and Ivanov’s header were equally important in a tie where every goal changed the mood. For Rilski Sportist, Kolev and Stoyanov took their chances well, and the home side deserved credit for twice fighting back against higher-ranked opposition.

What it means

The result sends Dunav Ruse into the next round of the Bulgarian Cup, where they will hope for a more controlled defensive display. Rilski Sportist exit the competition, but their performance showed plenty of character and attacking intent. In a single-elimination format, the fine margins decided the tie — and Dunav found the extra moment of quality when it mattered most.