“Valentín Gasc struck almost immediately after kick-off to give KuPS a shock lead, threatening to overturn Craiova's first-leg advantage and put the tie in serious doubt.”
Pivotal“Steven Nsimba converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to level the match at 1-1, restoring Craiova's aggregate lead and shifting the psychological momentum heading into the break.”
Pivotal“Carlos Mora netted just two minutes after a double substitution reinvigorated Craiova, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead on the night and a 3-2 aggregate advantage that KuPS would never recover from.”
Pivotal
Universitatea Craiova
KuPS
Universitatea Craiova showed admirable composure to overturn an early deficit and advance on aggregate, with a dominant second-half display ultimately telling the story. KuPS drew first blood almost from kick-off through Valentín Gasc, who caught Craiova's defence flat in the fifth minute, threatening to turn the tie on its head. But the Romanian side responded well, earning a penalty before the break that Steven Nsimba converted to level matters at 1-1 on the night, and crucially restoring the aggregate advantage. The second half was one-way traffic: Craiova's statistics — 17 shots to KuPS's four, 79 dangerous attacks to 48, and eight corners without reply — reflected a side that pressed relentlessly, and Carlos Mora's goal in the 63rd minute, arriving immediately after a double substitution shook the match up, was the decisive blow. KuPS managed only four saves all game and barely threatened after falling behind, leaving Craiova to see out a 2-1 win and a 3-2 aggregate triumph that books their place in the next round of European competition.
How entertaining was this match?
On Monday, Etim replaces Matei David.
Substitution: Assad Al Hamlawi replaces Steven Nsimba.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card shown to Matei David.
Jaime MorenoYellow CardJaime Moreno receives a yellow card.
Clinton Antwi is substituted for Taneli Hamalainen.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Steven Nsimba scores, making it 1-1.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Taneli HämäläinenYellow CardYellow card shown to Taneli Hamalainen.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Goal! Valentin Gasc scores to make it 0-1.
Kick-off! The referee is Nenad Minakovic.
