USV Iasi secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over local rivals Stiinta Miroslava in the Romanian Cup first round on July 29, 2026. The match, which kicked off at 22:40, saw USV Iasi edge the derby thanks to a second-half strike.

Match Overview

The all-Iasi derby lived up to its billing with a tense, physical contest. USV Iasi dominated possession but found Stiinta Miroslava’s defence difficult to break down. The winning goal came midway through the second half, and the hosts held on to claim a deserved victory that sends them into the next round.

First Half: Tight and Tactical

The first half was a midfield battle with few clear chances. USV Iasi controlled the ball but struggled to penetrate the Miroslava backline, which sat deep and compact. The best chance of the half fell to USV Iasi’s forward Alexandru Popa, whose header from a corner was saved on the line. Stiinta Miroslava offered little going forward, happy to contain and counter.

Second Half: Popa Breaks the Deadlock

USV Iasi increased the pressure after the interval, and their persistence paid off in the 64th minute. A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a cross that found Alexandru Popa, who this time made no mistake, volleying home from close range. Stiinta Miroslava pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past the USV Iasi defence, which held firm to secure the clean sheet.

Standout Performers

• Alexandru Popa (USV Iasi): Scored the only goal of the game and caused problems with his movement.
• USV Iasi Defence: Kept a clean sheet against a motivated local rival.

Derby Context and Next Steps

The win is particularly sweet for USV Iasi, given the local bragging rights at stake. They now advance to the second round of the Romanian Cup, where they will face a higher-tier opponent. Stiinta Miroslava exit the competition with heads held high after a competitive display. USV Iasi’s fans will hope this derby victory can spark a strong cup run.