FCM Targu Mures 2-4 Chindia Targoviste produced one of the more entertaining scorelines of the Romanian Liga II round, with Chindia Targoviste leaving Stadionul Municipal with three points after a six-goal contest. The visitors combined sharp counter-attacking with ruthless finishing, twice restoring their lead before pulling away in the final quarter of the match.

Match overview

Played under the lights on 20 October 2026, the fixture had the feel of a classic second-tier scrap: plenty of midfield duels, quick transitions and a home side desperate to use its crowd. Instead, it became a lesson in efficiency from Chindia, who scored four times from a relatively modest share of possession and punished FCM Targu Mures whenever the home side pushed numbers forward.

The result adds another twist to the Liga II promotion race. Chindia’s attacking display will be remembered for its cutting edge, while FCM’s defensive record at home remains a concern after conceding four in front of their own supporters.

Key moments

• 5th minute: Chindia struck first through Alexandru Dobre, who drifted inside from the right and curled a low effort beyond the home goalkeeper.
• 18th minute: FCM Targu Mures responded well. Robert Candrea met a deep cross at the back post and headed in the equaliser.
• 39th minute: The visitors regained the lead when Daniel Popa turned sharply inside the box and finished from close range.
• 54th minute: FCM levelled again. Denis Șerban capitalised on a loose ball at the edge of the area and drove a shot through a crowded penalty box.
• 71st minute: Chindia’s third proved decisive. Dobre was involved again, teeing up Cristian Cherchez for a first-time finish.
• 88th minute: Substitute Vlad Rimovecz sealed the win on the break, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after FCM had committed too many players forward.

There was also a moment of frustration for the hosts when a goal was ruled out for offside shortly after the hour mark, and the momentum swing proved costly. Chindia managed the closing stages with the assurance of a side that knew exactly how to protect and extend a lead.

Tactical story

FCM Targu Mures wanted to play through the middle and use quick combinations between the lines, but Chindia’s compact 4-4-2 shape made central progression difficult. The home side found more joy down the flanks, especially in the first half, yet their crosses were often met by a well-organised visiting back line.

Chindia were content to cede possession in deeper areas and strike in transition. Their midfield screen protected the centre-backs, while Dobre and Cherchez repeatedly found space between FCM’s full-back and centre-back. That channel produced the opener and the third goal, and it remained a problem the hosts never fully solved.

The decisive tactical shift came after the 60th minute. FCM pushed their full-backs higher in search of a third equaliser, leaving large gaps behind. Chindia’s substitutes added fresh legs in wide areas, and the visitors’ final two goals came from exactly the kind of quick, direct breaks the game had been threatening to produce.

Standout players

Alexandru Dobre was the game’s most influential attacker, with a goal and an assist and a constant willingness to run at defenders. Daniel Popa led the line well, holding up play and creating space for runners, while Cristian Cherchez delivered the kind of box-to-box performance that gave Chindia control in key moments.

For FCM Targu Mures, Denis Șerban was the bright spot. His equaliser briefly put the home side back on level terms, and his movement caused problems throughout. Robert Candrea also impressed with his aerial threat, but the home defence will review the four conceded goals with frustration.

What the result means

Chindia Targoviste leave with three valuable points and a significant confidence boost. In a Liga II season where consistency separates the promotion contenders from the rest, winning away from home after twice being pegged back is the kind of result that can define a campaign. The victory strengthens their position in the upper half of the table and underlines their credentials as a side capable of scoring from multiple areas.

For FCM Targu Mures, the defeat is a reminder of the fine margins in the second tier. They scored twice and created enough to take something from the match, but defensive lapses and a willingness to commit too many players forward in the closing stages proved expensive. The club now turns its attention to the next fixture with pressure to tighten up at the back and turn promising attacking spells into points.