On a brisk evening at the Municipal Stadium in Miercurea Ciuc, football fans witnessed one of the season’s most unexpected twists as Csikszereda stunned FCSB with a 1-0 victory in the seventh round of the Liga 1 play-out. The only goal of the match, a late header from Attila Csuros in the 87th minute, sent shockwaves through the stadium and beyond, as the home side not only clinched a crucial three points but also put a dent in the favorites’ momentum.
Heading into the match on May 1, 2026, FCSB had already secured mathematical qualification for the Conference League preliminary play-off, and many expected them to assert their dominance against a Csikszereda side still fighting to steer clear of the relegation zone. Yet, as the whistle blew for kickoff, it was clear the hosts had other plans. Csikszereda, under the guidance of coach Robert Ilyes, entered the contest brimming with confidence, buoyed by an impressive home record and a recent run that saw them collect eight points from their last five outings.
The opening half unfolded with both teams probing for weaknesses, but neither could find the breakthrough. FCSB, led by interim coach Lucian Filip following Mirel Rădoi’s departure, pressed high and created several promising opportunities. Early on, Miculescu fired a free kick just wide, and Octavian Popescu weaved through defenders only to send his shot into the side netting. The visitors’ attacking trio of Cisotti, Olaru, and Popescu looked lively, but Csikszereda’s defense, marshaled by Csuros and Palmeș, stood resolute.
Csikszereda’s own attacking threat came to the fore midway through the first half. In the 27th minute, Marton Eppel nearly broke the deadlock, spinning away from Dawa inside the box before unleashing a shot that FCSB’s goalkeeper, Matei Popa, collected safely. The hosts continued to press, with midfielder Vereș and winger Bodo testing FCSB’s backline, but the first half concluded goalless after a minimum of one minute added time.
The second half saw FCSB ramp up the intensity. Captain Darius Olaru and Octavian Popescu both came close to scoring, with Olaru’s attempt narrowly missing the target and Popescu’s effort in the 79th minute drawing a spectacular reflex save from Csikszereda’s goalkeeper, Pap. The home fans erupted in appreciation, sensing their team’s resilience could yield a famous result. Pap’s heroics didn’t stop there—he had earlier denied Eppel in the 63rd minute, keeping the score level as tension grew on both benches.
Substitutions from both managers aimed to tip the balance. Lucian Filip introduced Lixandru and Thiam for FCSB, while Robert Ilyes brought on Szalay for Loeper, seeking fresh legs and renewed energy as the game entered its final stages. The match’s physicality increased, with several players—Szalay, Ceara, and Radunovic—receiving yellow cards as tempers flared and tackles flew in midfield.
It all came down to a set piece in the 87th minute. Csikszereda won a corner on the left. The delivery was inch-perfect, and Attila Csuros, rising above the FCSB defenders at the near post, powered a header past Matei Popa. The stadium erupted—Csikszereda had landed the decisive blow. "We love playing at home, and the fans always give us extra energy. If we defend well, stay compact, and are efficient in transition, that could be the key to success," coach Robert Ilyes had said before the match, according to fkcsikszereda.ro. His words proved prophetic.
With four minutes of added time signaled, FCSB threw everything forward. However, Csikszereda’s defense held firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks. The final whistle, blown at 90+4 minutes, confirmed a famous victory for the hosts. The result was met with jubilation from the home crowd, who knew these three points all but secured their team’s Liga 1 status for another season.
After the match, the standings reflected the impact of Csikszereda’s triumph. FCSB remained atop the play-out table with 36 points from seven matches, while Csikszereda climbed to 10th place with 30 points, easing fears of relegation. The match statistics highlighted FCSB’s dominance in possession and chances created, but it was Csikszereda’s defensive discipline and Pap’s goalkeeping heroics that stole the show.
Both coaches had offered insights before the encounter. Robert Ilyes, looking ahead to the challenge, remarked, "It won’t be easy. We’re facing the most popular team in Romania, but we’re determined to stay in Liga 1. We need points, and we’ll try to get the most out of this match. Playing at home could mean even more with a full stadium." He added, "I don’t like to make calculations. We have to go our own way and do everything we can to get the three points. That’s the most important thing right now."
On the other side, Lucian Filip, confident in his squad’s form, stated, "We’re facing a dangerous team that rarely loses at home. Throughout the season, we’ve dropped a lot of points against play-out teams. I want the players to be focused and, of course, to win. I don’t think we’ll have any unpleasant surprises." He continued, "As things stand, we have no rivals for first place in the play-out. The team is improving, and I want the players to reach their best form as soon as possible."
Despite Filip’s optimism, FCSB’s second defeat in the play-out—following a 2-3 loss to Botoșani—served as a reminder that no match is a foregone conclusion. Csikszereda’s victory was their first ever over FCSB in Liga 1 competition, and it came at a pivotal moment, reinforcing the unpredictability and drama of the play-out phase.
Looking back at the season’s head-to-heads, FCSB had previously drawn 1-1 away at Csikszereda and won 1-0 at home during the regular season. This time, however, it was the underdogs who had their day. The win not only boosted Csikszereda’s points tally but also gave them a psychological edge as the play-out nears its conclusion.
As the dust settles in Miercurea Ciuc, Csikszereda’s players and fans will savor this hard-fought victory. For FCSB, it’s a wake-up call as they prepare for their next challenges, knowing that every match in the play-out can spring a surprise. With the play-out race heating up, all eyes will be on both teams as the season heads toward its dramatic finale.