BULGARIA'S national football team defeated Hungary 2:0 in Sofia on October 8 in its last but one qualifying game for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

Both teams had already lost their chance to qualify, so this was to be a match just for pride and for the "prestigious" third spot in the group that Sweden and Croatia have dominated from start to finish.

Bulgaria had plenty of chances, but managed to put the ball in the back of the net only twice. The final result could have been much more impressive, if Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly had not pulled off heroic saves throughout the game.

The visitors also had their chances, the best coming as early as the third minute with striker Sandor Torgelle hitting the post. That was pretty much everything Hungary could deliver during the first half.

Bulgaria's Dimitar Berbatov did not let his first goal-scoring opportunity slip by. 

In the 30th minute, he took advantage of a silly defensive mistake and beat Kiraly comfortably when left one-on-one with the keeper.
Before half-time, the home side relied mainly on counter-attacks, and twice Berbatov and Zdravko Lazarov missed golden opportunities to double the Bulgarian advantage.

After the break, it was again Bulgarian coach Hristo Stoichkov's players that dominated. In the 50th minute the inevitable happened. 
Georgi Iliev sent Lazarov clear of the visitors' defence, the striker kept his nerves cools, and Kiraly had to recover the ball from his net for a second time in the game.

Leading 2:0, the Bulgarians showed great composure and managed to play in style until the final whistle. Berbatov, Lazarov, Martin Kamburov, and Martin Petrov all missed glorious chances to score again, but that did not matter all that much.

The victory allowed Hristo Stoichkov's players to displace Hungary from the third spot in the qualifying group. Now they have 14 points, one more than their opponents.