Bulgaria are beating Italy 2-1 at half time of their Euro 2016 qualifier after goals from Ivelin Popov and Ilijan Micanski.

Italy took the lead within the first four minutes after a cross from the left byline caused problems for the Bulgaria defence and Yordan Minev diverted the ball into his own net.

Antonio Candreva tested Nikolay Mihaylov in the sixth minute when his 25-yard free kick was tipped wide by the Bulgarian goalkeeper.

Bulgaria levelled the scores with their first attack of the game when Popov found the bottom-right corner from outside the penalty area.

They then took a surprise lead in the 17th minute, with Micanski heading into the same corner of the goal.

Ciro Immobile should have equalised for Italy three minutes later, but his header from a free kick went wide.

Popov nearly doubled Bulgaria's lead in the 37th minute, but his free kick rebounded off the crossbar.

Written by
Jonathan McIntosh