On Thursday night at the Huvepharma Arena, Bernard Tekpetey scored twice as the Bulgarian champions defeated FC Astana 5-1.
Ludogorets overcame a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, which was played last week, to advance to the next round with a 6-3 overall score.
The game’s first goal was scored by Tekpetey in the 25th minute, but Dembo Darboe of the Gambia responded for Astana four minutes later to cut the deficit in half.
After the break, midfielder Jakub Piotrowski gave Ludogorets the lead again, and Tekpetey added another goal to the night’s total two minutes later.
Before Bulgarian sensation Kiril Despodov completed the victory for Ludogorets in the 67th minute, Piotrowski scored once more.