Inainte Modelu 4-3 CS Portul Constanta: Hosts Edge Seven-Goal Liga III Thriller

Inainte Modelu and CS Portul Constanta served up one of the most dramatic scorelines of the Romanian Liga III campaign on Wednesday night, with the hosts surviving a late comeback to win 4-3 at Stadionul Inainte Modelu. The match, played under the lights with a 22:00 kick-off, swung from end to end and delivered seven goals, a handful of momentum shifts, and a finish that kept both benches on edge until the final whistle.

For Inainte Modelu, the three points were especially valuable. They showed attacking quality, resilience after twice being pegged back, and enough composure in the closing stages to protect a one-goal lead. For CS Portul Constanta, the defeat was a frustrating one: they scored three times away from home yet still left empty-handed after a defensive display that could not contain Modelu’s forward line.

Match Overview

• Competition: Romanian Liga III
• Fixture: Inainte Modelu vs CS Portul Constanta
• Date: 23 September 2026
• Kick-off: 22:00
• Final score: Inainte Modelu 4-3 CS Portul Constanta

The hosts began with intent, pressing high and looking to turn possession into early chances. That approach paid off when Andrei Popa opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes, finishing calmly after a quick move down the right. CS Portul Constanta responded well, though, and equalised through Alexandru Ionescu, whose low strike reminded the home side that the visitors carried a real threat on the counter.

Modelu regained the lead before half-time when Popa added his second of the night, but Portul Constanta refused to fold. Robert Marinescu levelled again shortly before the interval, capping a breathless first half in which both midfields struggled to control the tempo.

Key Moments

• 7’ – Inainte Modelu 1-0: Andrei Popa latched onto a through ball and slotted past the goalkeeper.
• 19’ – Inainte Modelu 1-1: Alexandru Ionescu equalised with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
• 34’ – Inainte Modelu 2-1: Popa struck again, converting a cross from the left after a sustained spell of pressure.
• 42’ – Inainte Modelu 2-2: Robert Marinescu punished a defensive lapse to make it level at the break.
• 58’ – Inainte Modelu 3-2: Mihai Dinu restored the home lead with a well-placed header from a corner.
• 71’ – Inainte Modelu 4-2: Cristian Stan gave Modelu breathing room with a powerful run and finish.
• 88’ – Inainte Modelu 4-3: Ionescu scored his second of the match to set up a nervous final few minutes.

Tactical Story

Inainte Modelu set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1, looking to overload the wide areas and get runners into the box. Their best moments came when the full-backs pushed high and the attacking midfielders drifted between the lines. Popa’s movement was particularly difficult for Portul Constanta to track, and the home side’s willingness to shoot early kept the visiting goalkeeper busy throughout the first hour.

CS Portul Constanta, meanwhile, used a more direct 4-4-2 shape and found joy when they could bypass Modelu’s first line of pressure. Their equalisers came from quick transitions rather than long spells of possession, and Ionescu’s two goals highlighted their ability to strike from distance and inside the penalty area. The problem was defensive: too often, Portul Constanta allowed crosses into the box and failed to clear their lines under pressure.

The game’s decisive period arrived between the 58th and 71st minutes. Dinu’s header from a corner and Stan’s surging run made it 4-2, and that two-goal cushion proved just enough. Portul Constanta’s late goal gave the scoreline a thrilling final shape, but Modelu managed the remaining minutes with enough maturity to see the match out.

Standout Players

Andrei Popa was the obvious attacking hero for Inainte Modelu, scoring twice and repeatedly stretching the away defence. His first goal set the tone, while his second showed the kind of penalty-area instincts that make him a key part of Modelu’s push for a stronger league position. Mihai Dinu also impressed in midfield, combining energy with the set-piece delivery that led to the third goal, and Cristian Stan’s late surge gave the hosts the cushion they desperately needed.

For CS Portul Constanta, Alexandru Ionescu was the standout performer. His brace kept his side in the contest, and his second goal in the 88th minute briefly raised hopes of an unlikely comeback. Robert Marinescu also had a strong outing, scoring one and causing problems with his movement, but the visit