Bulgaria secured a 2–1 victory over Georgia in World Cup qualifying on 18 November, capitalising on clinical finishing despite Georgia's dominant attacking approach. The visitors created significantly more opportunities, registering 17 shots with 1.49 expected goals, yet Bulgaria's 4–5–1 formation proved sufficiently compact to restrict Georgia to just three shots on target. Bulgaria's efficiency was stark: all three of their efforts found the target, generating 0.78 xG and converting two into goals. Georgia's 4–3–3 setup generated pressure throughout, but Bulgaria's goalkeeper made the most of limited threats, recording a 33.33 per cent save percentage while conceding 2.0 post-shot expected goals. The defeat leaves Georgia's qualifying campaign under scrutiny despite their territorial dominance, whilst Bulgaria's resilient defensive shape and ruthless conversion underscores their pragmatic approach to these fixtures.

Bulgaria's win strengthens their qualification prospects in Group E.