site.btaJuly 10, 1994: Bulgaria Defeats Germany at FIFA World Cup and Makes Football History

Thirty-one years ago, the Bulgarian national football team achieved one of the greatest triumphs in its history, defeating reigning world champions Germany 2:1 in the quarterfinals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The match took place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and marked a dramatic comeback that secured Bulgaria's first-ever appearance in a World Cup semifinal, which was a historic milestone for the nation’s football.

Germany took the lead in the 47th minute with a penalty converted by Lothar Matthaus. But under the leadership of coach Dimitar Penev, the Bulgarian team showed remarkable determination. Hristo Stoichkov equalized in the 75th minute with a powerful free-kick, and just three minutes later, Yordan Letchkov scored the winning goal with a diving header that has since become iconic in Bulgarian sports history.

The victory marked a golden moment for Bulgarian football and remains one of the most celebrated achievements in the country's sporting legacy. The international press hailed the "Penev team," and Bulgaria was firmly established as a formidable force on the global football stage.

The 1994 World Cup in the USA remains Bulgaria’s most successful tournament, ending with a fourth-place finish.