The Arena Națională in Bucharest was the scene of a tightly contested battle on February 9, 2026, as Dinamo București and Universitatea Craiova played to a 1-1 draw in the 26th round of the Romanian SuperLiga. The result, while perhaps unspectacular on the scoresheet, was packed with tension, tactical intrigue, and potential ramifications for the title race—especially with FCSB lurking in the background.
Entering the match, both teams were among the most consistent forces in Romanian football this season. Universitatea Craiova sat atop the table with 49 points, tied with Rapid but ahead on goal difference, while Dinamo trailed by just a single point. With both sides boasting the fewest defeats in the league—Dinamo with three, Craiova with four—the stakes were as high as ever for this storied rivalry.
From the opening whistle at 20:00 local time, the sense of caution was palpable. The first half was, in the words of expert Floriana Iacob, "almost enough to put me to sleep until Screciu's shot hit the bar and woke me up a bit… Until then, Dinamo and Craiova were just strolling around the pitch, both playing with fear. Let's hope the second half brings us some real football." Her sentiment was echoed by Radu Secoșan, who remarked, "A poor first half, as expected. Both teams know that the play-off is where the difference is made and are more focused on not losing than on winning."
Indeed, the opening 45 minutes ended 0-0, with neither side managing a shot on target. The closest either team came was in the 31st minute, when Screciu's header, deflected by Dinamo's Mărginean, struck the post, sending a jolt through the crowd but failing to break the deadlock. Baiaram also threatened for Craiova at the 40-minute mark, but his effort lacked the power and direction to trouble Epassy in Dinamo's goal.
The match burst into life after halftime. Just three minutes into the second period, Craiova suffered a setback as Nsimba went down injured and was replaced by Assad Al Hamlawi, a substitution that would soon prove pivotal. In the 51st minute, Dinamo finally found their breakthrough: Opruț delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Soro rose highest to head home from close range, sending the home fans into raptures. It was a classic striker's finish and a moment that seemed to tip the balance in Dinamo's favor.
But the visitors responded with grit and composure. In the 65th minute, a flowing move saw Mora orchestrate play down the right, Cicâldău whip in a dangerous cross, and Assad Al Hamlawi—only recently introduced—nod in a clinical equalizer. The header left Epassy with no chance and brought the traveling Craiova supporters to their feet. The goal was a testament to Craiova's depth, as the substitute made an immediate and decisive impact.
The final stages were anything but dull. Dinamo pressed hard to reclaim the lead, with Armstrong coming closest in the 70th minute, only to be denied by a superb save from Popescu. Not to be outdone, Craiova nearly snatched victory themselves, as Matei forced a sharp intervention from Epassy in the 81st minute. Yet, after four minutes of added time, referee Istvan Kovacs—always a wildcard in big matches—blew the final whistle with the score locked at 1-1.
Both coaches, Zeljko Kopic for Dinamo and Filipe Coelho for Universitatea Craiova, set their teams up to avoid defeat first and foremost. This pragmatic approach was perhaps unsurprising, given the high stakes and the looming specter of the play-offs. As Radu Secoșan observed, "Dinamo led, but Craiova's squad quality saved them a point. Today's draw is a victory for FCSB. After two controversial wins, the champions are now 10 points off the top. A five-way fight for the title is taking shape."
Floriana Iacob summed up the sentiments of many observers: "The second half was livelier than the first, with Dinamo trying to break the deadlock and Craiova maintaining pressure through possession and control, but both showed the same tactical caution, searching for the chance to decide the derby. Clearly, both teams were satisfied with a draw—a result that pleases everyone hoping for a play-off spot."
The statistics underline just how evenly matched these two sides have been in recent years. Since 2014, Dinamo and Craiova have faced off 25 times in the top flight: Dinamo has won four, Craiova thirteen, and eight matches have ended in draws. The last goalless encounter between them was all the way back on March 19, 2017. Their most recent meeting before this one, on September 26, 2025, also ended in a stalemate (2-2), further evidence of the fine margins separating the teams.
Looking at their current form, Dinamo continues to be a fortress at home, boasting seven wins, four draws, and just a single defeat this season in Bucharest. Craiova, meanwhile, has proven resilient on the road, claiming five wins and four draws from twelve away fixtures. These records underscore why both sides are considered among the prime contenders for the SuperLiga crown.
The line-ups reflected the depth and balance of both squads. Dinamo started with Epassy in goal, a back four of Sivis, Boateng, Stoinov, and Opruț, and a midfield anchored by Gnahore and Mărginean, with Musi, Cîrjan, Armstrong, and Soro providing attacking impetus. Craiova, under Coelho's direction, fielded Popescu between the posts, Romanchuk, Rus, and Screciu at the back, with Teles, Matei, Anzor, Cicâldău, and Bancu in midfield, and Nsimba and Baiaram up front. The substitutions, particularly Al Hamlawi's introduction, played a crucial role in shaping the final outcome.
The broader context of the league adds further intrigue. With this draw, Craiova remains top with 50 points, Dinamo sits third with 49, and FCSB—benefiting most from the draw—remain firmly in the title hunt. The play-off race is heating up, with at least five teams now eyeing the top prize. The coming weeks promise even more drama as these heavyweights jostle for position.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter in the Dinamo–Craiova rivalry, one thing is clear: while neither side claimed the full three points, both remain very much in the hunt for SuperLiga glory. For now, the battle lines are drawn, the tension is mounting, and the title race is wide open.