Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia recorded their first victory in the Uefa Europa League group stages by beating a second-string Lazio side 1-0 with a 61st minute Hristo Yovov goal in Rome on December 17 2009.
 
Both teams had lost any chance of progressing to the knockout stages, with Lazio fielding a predominantly young side as a consequence, while Levski Sofia went out to play for pride and in search of their first points, having lost the previous five encounters in the group.
 
Levski started in a determined and menacing manner, testing the Italian defence for an early goal. The Bulgarians dominated the match as the inexperience of the hosts' line-up was evident, but there was no severe and immediate threat in front of Fernando Muslera's goal.
 
Both sides had chances to score in the first half from set pieces but they were squandered. Minutes before the break, Levski defender Youssef Rabeh was booked for fouling Stephen Makinwa 25 metres from goal, but Bozhidar Mitrev beat away Roberto Baronio's free kick.
 
With the second half resuming at the Stadio Olimpico, Levski Sofia maintained their high tempo and continued to surge forward.
 
Levski interim head coach Georgi Ivanov brought on Joaozinho for Nikolay Dimitrov just before the hour, and the Brazilian made an immediate impression as Muslera had to save a shot which was tipped over the cross bar.

Levski then scored the only goal of the match and their first goal in the Europa League campaign in the 61st minute, a delicate chip from Yovov over the advancing Lazio keeper.

Levski saw out the match to record their first win in the group and some consolation for a poor European campaign for the Bulgarian champions. For Lazio it was a also bad end to an awful campaign. Red Bull Salzburg won all six Group G matches to finish top, followed into the knockout stages by Villarreal with nine points. Lazio finished campaign with six and Levski with three.