SCM Ramnicu Valcea edged FC Bihor Oradea 3-2 in a pulsating Romanian Liga II fixture on Sunday, 20 September 2026, with a late goal settling a back-and-forth contest at Stadionul Municipal.

Match Overview

The home side started with intent, pressing high and forcing Bihor into early errors. That pressure told in the 12th minute when Ionuț Popescu latched onto a loose ball inside the box and slotted past the goalkeeper. Bihor responded well, though, and equalised in the 34th minute through Cristian Gavra, who headed home a well-delivered cross from the right.

Valcea restored their lead seven minutes after the break. Andrei Bălan capped a sweeping counter-attack with a low finish into the far corner. But Bihor refused to fold, and Robert Fălcușan made it 2-2 in the 73rd minute with a composed finish after a scramble in the penalty area.

Just when the match looked destined for a draw, Marius Ciofu became the hero. The midfielder arrived late in the box in the 88th minute and guided a first-time shot beyond the reach of the Bihor goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations.

Key Moments

• 12' — Ionuț Popescu opens the scoring for Valcea.
• 34' — Cristian Gavra heads Bihor level.
• 51' — Andrei Bălan finishes a rapid counter to make it 2-1.
• 73' — Robert Fălcușan equalises for Bihor.
• 88' — Marius Ciofu scores the winner for Valcea.

Tactical Story

Valcea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and looked to dominate possession, finishing with 58% of the ball. Their full-backs pushed high, creating overloads on the flanks, but that aggression also left space for Bihor to counter. The visitors used a 4-3-3 and were at their most dangerous when breaking quickly through Gavra and Fălcușan.

The decisive tactical shift came in the 80th minute when Valcea switched to a 4-4-2, adding an extra striker and increasing the tempo. That change pinned Bihor back and ultimately led to Ciofu's late winner.

Standout Players

Marius Ciofu was the match-winner for Valcea, not only for his goal but for his energy in midfield. He completed 89% of his passes and made three key interceptions. For Bihor, Cristian Gavra was a constant threat, scoring once and winning several aerial duels.

Table Impact

The three points lift SCM Ramnicu Valcea into the Liga II play-off places, boosting their promotion ambitions. FC Bihor Oradea remain mid-table but will take encouragement from a spirited away performance. Valcea next face a tricky trip to a fellow promotion contender, while Bihor host a midweek fixture looking to return to winning ways.