Petar Stanic delivered a career-defining performance as his first professional hat-trick inspired Ludogorets Razgrad to a crucial 3-2 victory over Celta de Vigo, keeping their push for a UEFA Europa League knock-out spot alive.
Ludogorets entered the clash on the back of three straight league-phase losses, but they quickly set the tone in Razgrad.
Just 11 minutes in, Stanic calmly dispatched a penalty, his third European goal this season, after Caio Vidal was clattered in the box by Manu Fernandez.
Celta almost hit back immediately through Ilaix Moriba, but Hendrik Bonmann’s sharp save preserved the lead.
Despite brief flashes of promise, the Spanish visitors looked short of ideas, frequently stalled by Ludogorets’ disciplined defensive setup.
Celta’s best outlet was Ferran Jutgla on the right flank. His teasing cross found Moriba at the back post, but the midfielder’s header fell straight into Bonmann’s hands.
More opportunities arrived for Angel Arcos and Borja Iglesias, who both fired off-target.
Before that, Ludogorets should have extended their advantage when Vidal capitalised on a horrendous mistake from goalkeeper Yoel Lago, only to drag his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
The hosts didn’t have to wait long for their second. Moments after the restart, Stanic curled a stunning 20-yard strike into the bottom corner to double the lead.
His memorable night got even better soon after, completing his hat-trick from the spot following another foul on Vidal. VAR ruled Fernandez guilty once more — a nightmare evening for the defender.
Celta appeared dead and buried, but substitute Pablo Duran injected life into their game, racing onto Bryan Zaragoza’s incisive pass to slot home and reduce the deficit.
The final stretch turned frantic. Moriba wasted a golden chance to make it 3-2 when he was left completely free in the box, only for Bonmann to deny him again.
Ludogorets nearly restored their cushion when Vidal forced a low save, but a dramatic twist came deep into stoppage time as Jones El-Abdellaoui unleashed a spectacular volley to set up a nervy finale.
Despite the late scare, Ludogorets held firm to secure a vital win that lifts them into the top 24, while Celta suffer just their second defeat since late September.
