Sheriff Tiraspol Overcomes Zimbru Chisinau in Super Liga Thriller

Date: July 13, 2026 | Competition: Moldovan Super Liga

Sheriff Tiraspol reaffirmed their dominance in Moldovan football with a pulsating 4-2 victory over rivals Zimbru Chisinau on a humid Monday evening. The match, played at the Sheriff Stadium, saw the home side race into a commanding lead before being forced to withstand a spirited Zimbru rally in the second half.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Sheriff imposed their tempo. The Yellow-and-Blacks pressed high and exploited spaces behind Zimbru’s full‑backs. By the 30th minute, Sheriff were 3-0 up, seemingly in cruise control. However, Zimbru clawed back two goals just before the hour mark, setting up a tense final half‑hour before Sheriff sealed the win with a late fourth goal.

Key Moments

• 12’ – Sheriff 1-0: A swift counter‑attack ended with a composed finish from captain Ion Nicolăescu, who slotted home after a clever through‑ball.
• 24’ – Sheriff 2-0: Winger Luis Henrique cut inside from the left and curled a right‑footed shot into the far corner.
• 30’ – Sheriff 3-0: A corner kick delivery found centre‑back João Pedro unmarked, and he nodded in from close range.
• 52’ – Zimbru 3-1: A defensive lapse allowed Zimbru striker Sergiu Plătică to tap in after a goalmouth scramble.
• 58’ – Zimbru 3-2: A stunning free‑kick from Ion Jardan flew over the wall and into the top corner, breathing new life into the visitors.
• 82’ – Sheriff 4-2: Substitute Rashid Ibrahim latched onto a long ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and rolled the ball into an empty net to restore the two‑goal cushion.

Tactical Story

Sheriff’s early pressing and quick transitions overwhelmed Zimbru’s midfield. The home side’s 4‑3‑3 allowed the wing‑backs to push high, while the central midfield trio controlled possession. Zimbru, sitting in a compact 4‑4‑2, struggled to contain Sheriff’s width in the first half. After the break, Zimbru coach Vladimir Țurcan switched to a more aggressive pressing system, which briefly unsettled Sheriff and led to the two quick goals. However, Sheriff manager Yuriy Hura introduced fresh legs and restored shape, ultimately snuffing out Zimbru’s momentum.

Standout Performers

• Ion Nicolăescu (Sheriff): The veteran striker opened the scoring and caused constant problems with his movement.
• Ion Jardan (Zimbru): His spectacular free‑kick and tireless running in midfield were the main reasons Zimbru nearly mounted a comeback.
• Luis Henrique (Sheriff): The Brazilian winger was a livewire down the left flank, contributing a goal and an assist.

Season Impact

The victory moves Sheriff to the top of the Moldovan Super Liga standings with nine points from three matches, while Zimbru remain in fifth. Sheriff extended their unbeaten home record against Zimbru to 12 matches, reinforcing their status as the country’s powerhouse. For Zimbru, the fightback showed character, but defensive frailties remain a concern.

With the title race expected to be tight, early‑season results like this underline Sheriff’s resilience. The “Yellow Devils” will aim to maintain momentum when they travel to Petrocub Hîncești next weekend.