This UEFA Europa League Qualification match at the Astana Arena on August 8, 2023, provided a thrilling encounter between FC Astana and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. FC Astana emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, largely due to their credible performance and high rate of successful shots on target.

PFC Ludogorets Razgrad started strong with an early goal in the 34th minute by Noah Sonko Sundberg, assisted by Kiril Despodov. However, their leading position was short-lived as FC Astana managed to equalize at the 41st minute through Zarko Tomasevic, with Stjepan Loncar delivering the assist.

Astana then took the lead in the 53rd minute of the second half, thanks to a significant goal from Aleksandr Marochkin, assisted by Kamo Hovhannisyan. Astana managed to sustain this lead until the final whistle, despite increased pressure and fouls from Ludogorets which resulted in 9 fouls, significantly more than Astana's 4 fouls.

Statistics show that Astana capitalized better on their opportunities, with 7 shots on target compared to Ludogorets' 5, despite the latter having more corner kicks (7 compared to Astana's 5). Ludogorets' inability to convert these corners and their higher number of shots off target (4) likely hindered their scoring potential. Astana's defense also deserves commendation for its effective management of offsides, with Ludogorets recorded at 0 offsides throughout the game.

The discipline on the field was relatively balanced, with both teams receiving multiple yellow cards. Stjepan Loncar, who contributed a crucial assist for Astana, also received a yellow card in the 47th minute, along with Claude Goncalves of Ludogorets just in the next minute. Subsequently, Abzal Beysebekov and Zarko Tomasevic from Astana received yellow cards, as did Olivier Verdon from Ludogorets.

In summary, the defining factors of this match were Astana's efficiency in front of the goal and better conversion of shots on target. Their defensive discipline in handling offsides also provided an edge. Despite Ludogorets having more corner kicks and an early lead, Astana's strong response with two goals, coupled with Ludogorets' inability to capitalize on goal opportunities, ultimately influenced the match outcome in favor of FC Astana, earning them a hard-fought victory in this thrilling encounter.

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