CSKA Sofia left the Brandywell with a crucial away goal and a slender lead after seeing off Derry City 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League Qualification Round 1 tie. The Bulgarian outfit absorbed early pressure before striking twice to put the Irish side on the back foot ahead of next week's return in Sofia.
Derry's consolation keeps the tie alive, but CSKA will fancy their chances of closing it out on home turf. The margin is tight enough to offer hope, yet the visitors demonstrated the kind of composure that suggests they have been here before.
Mixed night for home sides
Elsewhere in the opening round, home advantage proved a fickle companion. Ferencváros were the night's most emphatic winners, dismantling FK Vojvodina 3-0 in Budapest to all but seal their progression. The Hungarian champions were clinical, leaving little doubt about who will advance.
FC Universitatea Cluj and Dynamo Kyiv played out a goalless stalemate in Romania, a result that keeps everything to play for in the second leg. Sheriff Tiraspol edged past NK Aluminij Kidričevo 1-0 away from home, while Qarabağ FK made light work of their trip to Iceland, defeating IF Vestri 3-0.
The shock of the round came in Slovakia, where MŠK Žilina overturned the form book to beat HNK Hajduk Split 2-1. The Croatian side, among the fancied names at this stage, now face a tricky return leg with work to do.
Six ties, six narrow pathways carved. The second legs will settle it.