Trnava exits Conference League after penalty shootout in…

Trnava exits Conference League after penalty shootout in Sofia

31.07.2026 07:02 HotInfo

Spartak Trnava's footballers were eliminated in the 2nd qualifying round of the Conference League after a two-legged tie with FC CSKA 1948 Sofia. Following a 0:0 draw at home, the away leg in Bulgaria also failed to produce a winner, and it was ultimately the opponent who secured qualification after a penalty shootout. STVR (Spravy) ↗

Spartak began the season with coach Antonio Muňoz's European debut and a home match played in front of more than 10,000 spectators. In Trnava, both teams created scoring chances, but the match ended without goals. Ahead of the return leg, the tie thus remained open, and the Trnava team believed the decisive strike could come in Sofia. ta3.com ↗

The path to the 3rd qualifying round hinged on a single goal, yet Spartak failed to score one against the Bulgarian opponent over more than 210 minutes. The decisive moment came only in the penalty shootout, where CSKA 1948's goalkeeper Petar Marinov became the hero. According to available information, he saved one of Trnava's four penalties, which was enough for the Bulgarian vice-champions to advance. STVR (Spravy) ↗

For Trnava, the European summer thus ended already after the second qualifying round. The team had undergone a significant summer squad overhaul, with twelve players leaving and nine new ones arriving. A positive of the first match was the performances of the young players, but in the final assessment it was inefficiency in front of goal that proved decisive. Following its elimination, Spartak must now focus on the domestic competition and continue building the team under Muňoz's leadership.

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