CFR Cluj and Dinamo Bucharest played out a breathless 2-2 draw in the Romanian Super Liga on 26 October 2026, a result that delivered drama, intensity, and two comebacks in a match that lived up to the rivalry between two of Romania’s biggest clubs. CFR twice held the lead, but Dinamo’s persistence earned them a share of the points with a late equaliser.

Match overview

The game began at a high tempo, with both sides pressing aggressively and looking to attack through the middle. CFR Cluj struck first when Louis Munteanu found space between the centre-backs and finished with composure. Dinamo responded before half-time, equalising through Dennis Politic after a quick exchange on the edge of the box.

CFR regained the lead in the second half from the penalty spot, and for a while it looked as though that would be enough. But Dinamo kept pushing, introduced fresh legs from the bench, and found an equaliser in the closing minutes when Alexandru Pop converted from close range. The final whistle brought a mixture of frustration and relief for both camps.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Louis Munteanu opened the scoring for CFR Cluj with a low finish after a well-timed run behind the defence.
• 42nd minute: Dennis Politic equalised for Dinamo, cutting inside from the right and curling a shot into the far corner.
• 61st minute: Ciprian Deac restored CFR’s lead from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area.
• 87th minute: Alexandru Pop levelled for Dinamo, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

Tactical story

CFR Cluj controlled large spells through their midfield triangle, using Ciprian Deac’s experience to dictate tempo and find passes between the lines. Their full-backs pushed high, creating width, but that also left space for Dinamo’s counterattacks. Dinamo were at their most dangerous when they won the ball in midfield and attacked quickly, with Politic and Pop causing problems with their direct running.

The game became stretched in the final 20 minutes as both teams chased a winner. CFR tried to slow the tempo and protect their lead, while Dinamo committed more bodies forward. That risk paid off with the late equaliser, but it also highlighted the fine margins in a match where neither defence looked entirely comfortable under pressure.

Standout players

Ciprian Deac was central to CFR’s best moments, combining vision with calmness from set pieces and penalties. Louis Munteanu’s movement and finish were also impressive. For Dinamo, Dennis Politic was a constant threat with his dribbling, and Alexandru Pop’s late goal underlined his poaching instincts. Both goalkeepers made important saves in a game that could easily have produced more goals.

What the result means

The draw keeps both teams in the thick of the Super Liga race but leaves them with mixed feelings. CFR Cluj will be frustrated at conceding late after leading twice, while Dinamo will take confidence from their resilience and ability to respond under pressure. In a rivalry that often produces drama, this was another chapter worth remembering, and the point could prove important as the season develops.