CS Gilortul Târgu Cărbunești 1–2 AS FC Păușești-Otăsău
Romanian Cup – First Round | 29 July 2026, 22:30 local time

AS FC Păușești-Otăsău staged a spirited second-half turnaround to knock out hosts CS Gilortul Târgu Cărbunești, winning 2–1 in a tightly contested Romanian Cup first-round tie. The match, played under the floodlights, saw the home side take an early lead but fail to hold on as the visitors grew into the game.

Match Overview

CS Gilortul started brightly and got their reward in the 18th minute when a well-worked move ended with a composed finish past the Păușești goalkeeper. The home crowd was buoyant, but their joy was short-lived. Păușești-Otăsău, showing greater composure as the first half wore on, equalised shortly before the interval through a powerful header from a corner kick.

The second half belonged entirely to the visitors. They took control of midfield and pinned Gilortul back. The winning goal arrived on 67 minutes: a swift counter‑attack saw the ball worked to an unmarked forward who slotted low into the far corner. Despite late pressure from the home side, Păușești held firm to secure their place in the next round.

Key Moments

• 18′ – CS Gilortul open the scoring: a neat through‑ball splits the defence, and the striker finishes calmly.
• 42′ – Păușești‑Otăsău equalise: a corner is met with a towering header that leaves the keeper no chance.
• 67′ – The visitors complete the turnaround: a quick break catches Gilortul out of shape, and the shot is precise.

Standout Players

For Păușești‑Otăsău, the centre‑back pairing was outstanding, snuffing out most of Gilortul’s second‑half attacks. The goalscorer from the corner also deserves special mention for his aerial dominance. CS Gilortul’s midfielder who provided the assist for the opener was lively, but the team lacked the cutting edge to recover.

Cup Implications

This result means AS FC Păușești‑Otăsău advance to the second preliminary round of the Romanian Cup, while CS Gilortul Târgu Cărbunești exit the competition. For a lower‑tier side, a cup run can bring valuable revenue and attention, and Păușești will hope to carry this momentum forward.