FC Bacau came agonisingly close to pulling off an upset in the Romanian Cup, but a resilient CS Universitatea Craiova edged a tense encounter 2-1 on 3 September 2026. The match showcased the gulf in quality between the Liga I side and their lower-league hosts, yet Bacau’s spirited display ensured the tie was competitive until the final whistle.

Match Overview

Craiova, the clear favourites on paper, dominated possession early and took the lead in the 23rd minute. A well-worked corner routine found the head of an unmarked centre-back, who powered his effort past the Bacau goalkeeper. The visitors looked comfortable, but Bacau refused to wilt and gradually grew into the contest.

The home side’s equaliser arrived just after the hour mark. A patient build-up ended with a low cross from the left, and a clever near-post flick brought the scores level, sending the home supporters into raptures. For a brief period, an upset seemed possible as Bacau pressed with renewed energy.

Decisive Moment

However, Craiova’s superior quality told in the 78th minute. A moment of individual brilliance saw their winger cut inside from the right and unleash a curling effort into the top corner, restoring the advantage and ultimately deciding the tie. Bacau pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but Craiova’s experienced back line held firm.

• 23' – Craiova head in from a corner to open the scoring.
• 63' – Bacau equalise with a clever near-post finish.
• 78' – A superb solo goal seals Craiova’s progression.

Key Takeaways

For CS Universitatea Craiova, the victory keeps them on track in a competition they have won multiple times, and the match provided valuable minutes for fringe players. FC Bacau, meanwhile, can take pride in a brave Cup performance that gave their supporters a memorable evening, even if the dream of a major scalp ultimately slipped away.

The result underlined the unpredictable nature of cup football, where determination and organisation can trouble superior opponents, but where clinical finishing often proves the decisive difference.