Minaur Baia Mare began their Romanian Cup campaign with a composed away performance, defeating Sighetu Marmatiei 3-1 on a warm August evening. The visiting side, competing in a higher echelon of Romanian football, showed their class in front of goal while the home team kept themselves in the contest until the final quarter of the match.

Match Overview

Played on 5 August 2026, the cup tie brought together two clubs with contrasting ambitions for the new season. Sighetu Marmatiei, representing the town on the Tisza River, looked to make the most of home advantage, but Minaur’s superior experience in the competition told as they controlled long spells of possession and punished defensive errors.

First Half: Minaur's Patient Domination

Minaur Baia Mare settled quickly and created several early chances from set pieces. Their persistence paid off before the half-hour mark when a well-worked move down the right flank ended with a powerful low finish into the bottom corner. Sighetu remained organized but found it difficult to hold the ball against Minaur’s aggressive pressing midfield.

The away side doubled their lead just before the interval. A defensive lapse from the home team allowed Minaur’s forward to steal the ball and slot calmly past the goalkeeper. At halftime, Sighetu faced an uphill climb, but their supporters kept the atmosphere loud and hopeful.

Second Half: Sighetu's Response and Minaur's Sealer

Sighetu Marmatiei came out with renewed energy after the break. Their midfielder drove the team forward, and a well-taken strike from the edge of the area made it 2-1, giving the home faithful a genuine lifeline. For a while, the match became a tense, open contest as both sides pushed for the next goal.

The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Minaur restored their cushion with a clinical counter-attack. A precise through-ball split the Sighetu defence and the finish was emphatic. Despite late pressure from the home side, Minaur Baia Mare held on comfortably to secure their place in the next round.

Key Takeaways

• Experience proved decisive: Minaur’s cup pedigree and composure under pressure were evident against a spirited lower-league opponent.
• Home side can hold their heads up: Sighetu Marmatiei showed character after pulling a goal back but ultimately lacked the sharpness to complete the comeback.
• Momentum for the season: Minaur will carry winning confidence into their upcoming league fixtures, while Sighetu must regroup and focus on their domestic priorities.

With this 3-1 victory, Minaur Baia Mare advanced to the next phase of the Romanian Cup, while Sighetu Marmatiei were eliminated but proved they can compete at this level.