Levski Sofia’s 4-0 home win over Borac Banja Luka on 14 July 2026 at Vivacom Arena Georgi Asparuhov slammed the door on the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, sending Julio Velázquez’s side through with a 5-1 aggregate success.
Velázquez kept faith with his 4-4-2, and the first half demanded patience even as the hosts controlled territory. Siniša Saničanin collected a yellow card in the 17th minute, Sebastián Herrera followed with one in the 44th, yet M. Žižović’s 3-4-3 held on so that the tie stayed level on the night and on aggregate at the interval.
The dam finally burst three minutes after the restart when Armstrong Oko-Flex finished in the 48th minute, capitalising on sustained pressure down Borac’s right flank. Everton Bala slipped Reinaldo through in the 59th minute to stretch the aggregate lead, and the Brazilian struck again in the 65th minute from Álex Centelles’ low cross. With Kristian Dimitrov and Nikola Serafimov composed at the back, Levski never looked threatened.
Velázquez could then manage minutes. El Moubarik replaced Oko-Flex in the 68th minute, Juan Perea relieved Centelles in the 69th, and David Vuković’s booking moments later underlined Borac’s midfield struggles. Reinaldo and Bala exited in the 75th minute for Aldair and David Kusso, and Perea added the final goal in the 85th minute to seal the 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Žižović sought answers with a double change in the 64th minute, introducing D. Vuković and D. Hrelja, then turned to Antun Roguljić and Marko Deket in the 83rd minute, but the rhythm never shifted. Borac finished with four shots, none on target, two corners, and 39 percent possession, while goalkeeper Nikola Ćetković conceded from each of the four efforts he faced on goal.
Levski’s width and midfield control told the story: Centelles pushed high, Serginho drifted inside, and Gašper Trdin anchored the second balls. With momentum secured, Velázquez carries a confident, settled squad into the second qualifying round draw. Borac must regroup quickly with their domestic league campaign fast approaching and solutions needed after a shotless night in Sofia.
