Baile Felix edged out CF Bihorul Beius 1-0 in a tightly contested Romanian Cup first-round fixture at the Stadionul Bihorul on Wednesday evening. The lone goal, scored just after the half-hour mark, proved enough to send the visitors through to the next stage of the competition, as the home side failed to convert a series of second-half chances.

Match Overview

The Romanian Cup clash between two regional rivals from Bihor County brought a lively atmosphere despite the late kick-off. Both sides entered the match looking to build momentum early in the 2026–27 season. CF Bihorul Beius, competing in the lower divisions, hoped to cause an upset against a Baile Felix side that plays in the third tier.

Baile Felix started the brighter, pressing high and forcing errors in the Bihorul backline. The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when a swift counter-attack caught the home defence out of position. Winger Andrei Popa received a through ball on the right, cut inside, and fired a low shot that beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

Key Moments

• 33' – Goal! Andrei Popa (Baile Felix) opens the scoring with a clinical finish after a quick break.
• 58' – Bihorul's best chance: a free kick from 25 yards is tipped over the bar by the Baile Felix keeper.
• 72' – Baile Felix nearly double their lead when a header from a corner strikes the crossbar.
• 89' – Bihorul's striker misses a close-range volley in a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Tactical Story

CF Bihorul Beius set up in a 4-4-2 formation, aiming to stay compact and hit on the break. However, they struggled to retain possession in midfield, with Baile Felix's 4-3-3 system overloading the centre. The visitors controlled the tempo after taking the lead, sitting deeper and inviting pressure, which Bihorul failed to break down.

Bihorul’s manager made three attacking substitutions in the second half, switching to a 4-3-3 and pushing wingers high. Despite creating half-chances, they lacked the final pass and composure in the box. Baile Felix’s disciplined defensive line, marshalled by veteran centre-back Ionut Radu, held firm to secure the clean sheet.

Standout Players

• Andrei Popa (Baile Felix) – The goalscorer and constant menace down the right flank. His pace and direct running caused problems all evening.
• Mihai Mocanu (Baile Felix) – The goalkeeper made two crucial saves, especially the tip-over in the 58th minute that preserved the lead.
• Cosmin Toth (CF Bihorul Beius) – The midfielder worked tirelessly in the second half, spreading play and creating the best openings for his team.

Season and Competition Impact

Baile Felix advance to the second round of the Romanian Cup, where they will face a higher-league opponent. For CF Bihorul Beius, the focus returns to their league campaign in the Liga IV Bihor series. The defeat ends their cup run, but the performance showed they can compete against higher-tier opposition.

This match also marked the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in over five years, adding a local derby spice to the cup tie. The result will be celebrated in Baile Felix, while Bihorul will rue missed opportunities in front of their home supporters.