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Lithuania broke their duck on Bulgarian soil, while also securing a first victory in 16 matches, as they beat Bulgaria 2-0 in their 2024 UEFA European Championships qualifying (UECQ) clash.
The game wasn’t short of chances in the opening minutes, as Vykintas Slivka saw his shot saved by Ivan Dyulgerov, before Kiril Despodov’s header sailed over the bar at the other end. Lithuania then put the ball in the back of the net through Fedor Černych, but it was ruled out for offside. Later on in the half, Spas Delev saw his shot saved by Emilijus Zubas from close range following a mix-up in the Lithuanian defence, but just before HT, the game was turned on its head.
Bozhidar Kraev was sent off after picking up a second booking, and just three minutes later, Lithuania took the lead through Pijus Širvys. It was his maiden international goal, as he slid the ball home following a corner to double the visitors’ advantage going into the second half.
Having got off the mark for his country, Širvys netted again 10 minutes into the second period, heading in at the back post on his ninth international cap. Černych almost made it three after the hour mark, but his effort was vitally blocked by substitute Simeon Petrov.
Lithuania did have the ball in the net again, but once more the goal was ruled out, this time following a VAR check. Justas Lasickas drilled the ball into the bottom corner after the visitors won it high up the pitch, but substitute Arvydas Novikovas was adjudged to have been interfering with play from an offside position.
The result doesn’t help either team in their quest for qualification, as Bulgaria remain on two points and Lithuania only five, which is half as many as Hungary and Serbia in first and second respectively despite having played more games. However, Edgaras Jankauskas’s men can take pride in the fact they finally got back to winning ways, while Bulgaria have now gone four games at home without victory.
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