Bulgarian Midfielder Scores for Cagliari First Team

Bulgarian midfielder Ivan Sulev was on target for Cagliari as they defeated Rayo Vallecano away from home to claim the Trofeo de Vallecas. The 20-year-old converted one of the spot-kicks in a 6-5 penalty shootout victory for the Italian outfit, following a 1-1 draw in regular time. Sulev had earlier entered the fray as a 71st-minute substitute.

Sulev has been on Cagliari's books since the age of 16, when the Sardinian side signed him from Lokomotiv Plovdiv. However, he is still awaiting his competitive first-team debut. The Bulgarian was named on the bench for several Serie A fixtures last season and has made the matchday squad for all seven matches across the league and Coppa Italia so far this term, though he is yet to see any official playing time.

Prior to kick-off, Rayo Vallecano's stadium was targeted by vandals, who were captured overnight slashing seats and pouring paint over them. Despite the disruption, the match went ahead as scheduled.

During regular time, Álvaro García struck for the hosts, while M'Bala Nzola replied for Cagliari. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Sulev stepped up to convert his side's second kick.