Stadiums packed, fans roaring, and the stakes sky-high—Sunday night in Craiova had all the makings of a classic Romanian football showdown. Universitatea Craiova, the current Superliga leaders, squared off against reigning champions FCSB in a match that not only delivered drama but also reshaped the race for the title and the coveted playoff spots.
The Ion Oblemenco Stadium was buzzing as the two giants took the field for the 27th round of the Superliga. Just three days earlier, these same teams had battled to a 2-2 draw in the Romanian Cup on this very pitch. This time, though, there would be no sharing of the spoils. Craiova’s Palestinian striker, Assad Al Hamlawi, became the hero of the night, netting the only goal in the 23rd minute with a left-footed curler that left goalkeeper Matei Popa rooted to the spot. It was a moment of magic that ultimately separated the sides.
The match sprang to life almost immediately. In just the second minute, Monday Etim found himself in a promising position for Craiova, but his shot from 11 meters drifted just wide. FCSB responded with intent—Daniel Bîrligea rattled the crossbar with a ferocious strike in the 5th minute, and moments later, Mihai Lixandru tested Craiova’s keeper Laurențiu Popescu with a long-range effort that required a sharp save. The tension was palpable, with both teams trading blows and neither willing to cede ground.
In the 15th minute, Craiova’s captain, Bancu, nearly broke the deadlock, connecting with a Carlos Mora cross but sending his header over the bar. FCSB’s Juri Cisotti also came close with a header of his own, but the ball slipped past the post. The Oltenians, though, kept the pressure on. Their persistence paid off midway through the half when Al Hamlawi, showing poise and a touch of flair, dribbled past Grahovac and slotted home the decisive goal. According to the match report, "Al Hamlawi feinted past Grahovac and scored with a placed shot into the far corner."
That goal not only electrified the home crowd but also extended an impressive streak: Universitatea Craiova has not lost any of the last 16 Superliga matches in which they’ve scored first, a run dating back to April 2025. This season alone, after opening the scoring, Craiova boasts 12 wins and 3 draws—a testament to their ability to manage a lead.
FCSB, missing their influential captain and top scorer Florin Tănase due to an injury picked up in the recent Cup match, struggled to find their rhythm in attack. The visitors, however, dominated possession in the early stages of the second half, registering an eye-popping 85% between the 45th and 60th minutes. Despite their control, they simply couldn’t convert chances. Cisotti missed a golden opportunity to lob Popescu in the 65th minute, and Bîrligea, who had earlier hit the woodwork, saw two more chances go begging—one in the 71st minute from a Radunovic cross, and another deep into stoppage time.
The home side wasn’t without their own moments after the break. In the 54th minute, David Matei thought he’d doubled the lead for Craiova, only for VAR to intervene and chalk the goal off for offside. Later, Anzor Mekvabișvili’s free kick in the 77th minute flew just over the bar, keeping the tension alive until the final whistle.
Defensively, Universitatea Craiova was rock solid. This 1-0 result marked their 11th clean sheet in 27 league matches—a figure bettered only by FC Argeș and FC Botoșani, who each have 12. It’s no wonder the Oltenians have become a fortress at home, with nine wins, three draws, and just one loss in 13 games at the Ion Oblemenco this season.
For FCSB, the defeat spells trouble. The champions were riding a wave of three consecutive victories, including a resounding 4-1 triumph over Oțelul Galați, but now find themselves in eighth place with 40 points. The pressure is mounting, as they must win their remaining three matches—against Metaloglobus (home), UTA (away), and U Cluj (home)—to keep their playoff ambitions alive. The absence of Tănase was keenly felt, and FCSB’s inconsistent away form (just 19 points from 39 possible on the road) continues to haunt them.
This victory was particularly sweet for Craiova, as it ended a frustrating run of five matches without a win against FCSB in league play. Their last triumph over the Bucharest powerhouse dated back to May 6, 2024, when they won 2-0. Since 2014, these teams have clashed 42 times in the league, with FCSB historically dominant (27 wins), but the Oltenians are starting to tip the balance back in their favor.
Statistically, the match was a showcase of tactical discipline and defensive resilience. Craiova’s attacking trio of Steven Nsimba, Ștefan Baiaram, and Assad Al Hamlawi continues to impress. Nsimba leads the team with eight goals, Baiaram follows with seven, and Al Hamlawi’s winner on Sunday marked his sixth of the campaign. Their combined threat has kept defenders on their toes all season.
Manager Filipe Coelho’s side now sits atop the Superliga with 50 points, maintaining a razor-thin one-point lead over Rapid București. The Oltenians’ recent form is impressive: four wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their last six outings. Their ability to grind out results—especially in high-pressure matches like this one—has many tipping them as favorites for the title.
For FCSB, the road ahead is steep. Missing key players and with little room for error, they’ll need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season. The pressure is on, and every point will count as the league enters its final stretch.
As the dust settles in Craiova, one thing is clear: the Superliga title race is wide open, and Universitatea Craiova has thrown down the gauntlet. With just a handful of matches left, fans across Romania will be glued to every twist and turn. Will Craiova hold their nerve and claim the crown, or can FCSB mount a late surge? For now, the Oltenians are riding high, their supporters dreaming of glory, and the rest of the league left chasing their shadow.