Bulgaria vs Netherlands
head-to-head record
- Bulgaria wins
- 5
- Draws
- 2
- Netherlands wins
- 5
12 meetings, 1959 to 2017Goals: Bulgaria 17, Netherlands 20
Bulgaria and Netherlands have met 12 times since 1959. They have won five each, with 2 draws. They last met on 3 September 2017, when Netherlands won 3–1 in World Cup qualifying.
The 12 meetings have produced 37 goals, 3.08 per game. The biggest win is Netherlands’ 4–1 at the World Cup in 1974. In competitive matches, though, Netherlands lead 3 wins to 2. They went 18 years without meeting, between 1988 and 2006.
Who has won more, Bulgaria or Netherlands?
All matches12 matches
Competitive7 matches
Friendlies5 matches
Key numbers
- Goals
- Bulgaria 17, Netherlands 203.08 per game
- First meeting
- Bulgaria 3–2 NetherlandsFriendly, 13 May 1959
- Most recent
- Netherlands 3–1 BulgariaWorld Cup qualifying, 3 Sept 2017
- Bulgaria’s biggest win
- Bulgaria 2–0 NetherlandsWorld Cup qualifying, 25 Mar 2017
- Netherlands’ biggest win
- Bulgaria 1–4 NetherlandsWorld Cup, 23 Jun 1974
- Most goals in a meeting
- Netherlands 4–2 BulgariaFriendly, 3 Apr 1960
- Biggest upset
- Netherlands 1–2 BulgariaFriendly, 26 May 2012Winner’s rating-based win expectancy: 3.8%
- TFN Elo rating now
- Bulgaria 1507 (99th), Netherlands 2038 (9th)How the rating works
Last five meetings
- Netherlands3Bulgaria1
World Cup qualifying
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Bulgaria2Netherlands0
World Cup qualifying
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Netherlands1Bulgaria2
Friendly
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands2Bulgaria0
Euro qualifying
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Bulgaria1Netherlands1
Euro qualifying
Sofia, Bulgaria
Who has had the upper hand over time?
The line climbs with every Bulgaria win and drops with every Netherlands win, so its height shows who has won more meetings up to that point.
Every meeting on one timeline
Home, away and neutral
In Bulgaria's home games
4 matches
310
BulgariaDrawsNetherlands
In Netherlands's home games
7 matches
214
BulgariaDrawsNetherlands
At neutral venues
1 match
001
BulgariaDrawsNetherlands
Record by competition
| Competition | Played | Bulgaria | Draws | Netherlands | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9–9 |
| World Cup qualifying | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6–4 |
| Euro qualifying | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1–3 |
| World Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1–4 |
Meetings by decade
| Decade | Results | Played | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1 | 5 | |
| 1960s | 3 | 10 | |
| 1970s | 1 | 5 | |
| 1980s | 2 | 4 | |
| 2000s | 2 | 4 | |
| 2010s | 3 | 9 |
Longest runs
| Longest run of | Bulgaria | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Wins in a row | 22012 to 2017 | 21974 to 1985 |
| Unbeaten meetings | 22012 to 2017 | 31969 to 1985 |
Top scorers in Bulgaria vs Netherlands
- 1Davy PröpperNetherlands2
- 2Hristo BonevBulgaria2(1 penalty)
- 3Johan NeeskensNetherlands2(2 penalties)
- 4Spas DelevBulgaria2
Scorer records exist for 7 of the 12 meetings, mostly competitive matches. Own goals are not credited to a player.
Questions answered
How many times have Bulgaria and Netherlands played each other?
12 times, starting on 13 May 1959. 7 of those meetings were competitive and 5 were friendlies.
Who has won more matches between Bulgaria and Netherlands?
Neither: they have 5 wins each, with 2 draws.
What is the biggest win in Bulgaria vs Netherlands?
Netherlands’ 4–1 win at the World Cup on 23 June 1974 in Dortmund.
When did Bulgaria and Netherlands last play?
On 3 September 2017 in Amsterdam, when Netherlands won 3–1 in World Cup qualifying.
What is the competitive record between Bulgaria and Netherlands?
In 7 competitive matches, Bulgaria have 2 wins, Netherlands have 3, and 2 ended level.
Every Bulgaria vs Netherlands result
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3–1 | Bulgaria | World Cup qualifying | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Bulgaria | 2–0 | Netherlands | World Cup qualifying | Sofia, Bulgaria | |
| Netherlands | 1–2 | Bulgaria | Friendly | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Netherlands | 2–0 | Bulgaria | Euro qualifying | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Bulgaria | 1–1 | Netherlands | Euro qualifying | Sofia, Bulgaria | |
| Netherlands | 1–2 | Bulgaria | Friendly | Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| Netherlands | 1–0 | Bulgaria | Friendly | Heerenveen, Netherlands | |
| Bulgaria | 1–4 | Netherlands | World Cup | Dortmund, Germany (neutral) | |
| Netherlands | 1–1 | Bulgaria | World Cup qualifying | Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| Bulgaria | 2–0 | Netherlands | World Cup qualifying | Sofia, Bulgaria | |
| Netherlands | 4–2 | Bulgaria | Friendly | Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Bulgaria | 3–2 | Netherlands | Friendly | Sofia, Bulgaria |
Recent form
Bulgaria
- Wat LuxembourgNations League2–0Tue 6 Oct 2026
- Lat IcelandNations League0–3Sat 3 Oct 2026
- Dv EstoniaNations League0–0Tue 29 Sept 2026
- Lv LuxembourgNations League1–2Sat 26 Sept 2026
- Dat MoldovaFriendly2–2Fri 5 Jun 2026
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Results through 6 October 2026. Page updated 3 November 2026. How these numbers are calculated.