Controversial penalty earns Bulgaria draw against Montenegro
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Bulgaria v Montenegro - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - March 22, 2019 Bulgaria's Todor Nedelev celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot as Montenegro's Vladmir Jovovic reacts REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgaria midfielder Todor Nedelev scored a dubious late penalty to help them earn a 1-1 home draw in their opening Euro 2020 Group A qualifier against Montenegro on Friday.
The penalty was awarded in the 82nd minute for a foul by Montenegro substitute Vladimir Jovovic on Stanislav Kostov but television replays showed the incident happened outside the penalty area.
Stefan Mugosa opened the scoring when he curled in a brilliant left-foot shot five minutes after the break that gave Bulgaria keeper Nikolay Mihaylov no chance having beaten Vasil Bozhikov and Petar Zanev by putting the ball through their legs.
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Bulgaria v Montenegro - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - March 22, 2019 Bulgaria's Todor Nedelev celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot as Montenegro's Vladmir Jovovic reacts REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Bulgaria were unable to get into their stride for most of the second half but 17-year-old debutant Martin Minchev almost secured a late win when he shot just wide.
Bulgaria visit Kosovo on Monday when Montenegro will host England. Gareth Southgate's side face Czech Republic later on Friday.
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Bulgaria v Montenegro - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - March 22, 2019 Montenegro's Aleksandar Boljevic reacts REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Bulgaria v Montenegro - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - March 22, 2019 Bulgaria's Ivelin Popov in action with Montenegro's Danijel Petkovic REUTERS/Stoyan NenovSoccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Bulgaria v Montenegro - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - March 22, 2019 Montenegro's Stefan Mugosa celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
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