CFR Cluj Advances To Cup Semifinals After Penalty Drama

CFR Cluj has secured a spot in the semifinals of the Romanian Cup after a thrilling encounter against Universitatea Craiova that ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by a dramatic penalty shootout where Cluj triumphed 5-3. The match, held on April 3, 2025, showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, but it was Cluj's precision in the penalty shootout that ultimately made the difference.

The game began with both teams testing each other, but it was Baiaram who broke the deadlock for Craiova in the 50th minute. He received a pass from Anzor Mekvabishvili and unleashed a stunning shot into the top corner, leaving Cluj's goalkeeper, Hindrich, with no chance. This goal seemed to energize the visitors, who had struggled to create clear chances in the first half.

However, Cluj responded quickly, leveling the score just nine minutes later. Mohammed Kamara was the hero for the home side, scoring in the 59th minute after a well-timed pass from Emerllahu allowed him to break through Craiova's defense. Kamara's calm finish brought the crowd at the Gruia Stadium back to life, making it 1-1.

As the match progressed, both teams had their chances to secure a victory in regulation time, but neither could find the back of the net. A disallowed goal for Cluj in the 78th minute, when Louis Munteanu was flagged offside after scoring, added to the tension of the match. The final whistle confirmed that the game would head into extra time.

Extra time saw both teams pushing for the win, but despite several opportunities, including a near miss from Graovac and a crucial save from Lung Jr. against Păun, the score remained unchanged. After 120 minutes of intense football, the match was to be decided by penalties.

The penalty shootout began with Emerllahu converting the first penalty for Cluj, followed by Anzor scoring for Craiova. Tachtsidis and Lukic both scored their penalties, making it 2-2. Cluj's Korenica then put them ahead again, but Baiaram kept Craiova in the hunt by scoring next. Păun followed with a successful conversion, while Căpățînă's miss proved decisive for Craiova, as he shot over the bar. With the pressure mounting, Louis Munteanu stepped up and scored the final penalty for Cluj, sealing a 5-3 victory in the shootout.

This victory means CFR Cluj advances to the semifinals where they will face Farul Constanța, who defeated Unirea Alba Iulia 3-0 in their quarterfinal match. The other semifinal will see Hermannstadt take on Rapid București, who won 3-0 against Metalul Buzău.

Both teams will meet again soon, as they are set to clash in the third round of the play-off on April 7, 2025. With the stakes high, fans can expect another thrilling encounter.

Dan Petrescu, the coach of CFR Cluj, praised his team's performance, particularly highlighting the importance of resilience in high-pressure situations. He noted, "We showed great character to come back after going a goal down and to handle the penalty shootout with such composure. This is what cup football is all about."
Mirel Rădoi, the coach of Universitatea Craiova, expressed disappointment over the missed penalty but remained optimistic about his team's future, stating, "We played well and created chances, but in football, you need to take your opportunities. We will learn from this and come back stronger."

The semifinals of the Romanian Cup are scheduled for April 23, 2025, with the final set for May 14, 2025. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on these teams as they vie for the prestigious trophy.