In the UEFA Champions League game on 11 August 2026, Levski Sofia beat Kairat Almaty 0:1. Match numbers: shots on target 7:2, corners 9:4.
Match report
Levski Sofia claimed a 1-0 victory over Kairat Almaty in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Monday. Reinaldo struck in the 13th minute to give the Bulgarian side an advantage that held until the final whistle. The result reversed Kairat's 1-0 win over Levski just seven days earlier in Sofia.
The goal arrived early, with Reinaldo finding the net before Kairat could settle into their rhythm. Everton Bala received two yellow cards within the opening ten minutes, a sign of Kairat's frustration. Levski sat deep and soaked it up, absorbing pressure while looking for opportunities on the break.
Kairat controlled much of the territory. They completed 498 passes to Levski's 415, with possession leaning 56 per cent their way. Yet they created more chances without converting them. Seventeen shots came from Kairat, with seven on target, while Levski managed just two shots on target from seven attempts.
The statistics tell a story of dominance without reward. Kairat recorded 1.34 expected goals against Levski's 1.04, but the difference in finishing proved decisive. Levski's goalkeeper made six saves to Kairat's one. The visitors also won more aerial duels, 15 to 9, which helped them weather the storm.
The away leg now gives Levski a narrow advantage heading into the second match. Kairat will need more than possession to overturn the deficit. They have one chance to respond at home, but the margin for error is thin.
Prepared from match data
Key numbers
Possession, %56.00–44
Shots on target7–2
Shots off target7–5
Expected goals1.34–1.04
HT🟨7' Everton Bala — Yellow card🟨8' Everton Bala — Yellow card⚽13' Reinaldo — Goal🟨45+6' O. Baybek — Yellow card⇄46' O. Baybek — Substitution🟨60' D. Kasabulat — Yellow card⇄64' D. Kasabulat — Substitution🟨74' A. Neves — Yellow card⇄79' A. Neves — Substitution⇄79' Everton Bala — Substitution⇄79' A. Oko-Flex — Substitution⇄83' Reinaldo — Substitution⇄84' M. Gual — Substitution🟨88' N. Serafimov — Yellow card🟨90' J. Perea — Yellow card⇄90+2' Serginho — Substitution🟨90+5' G. Mendonsa — Yellow card
