FC Botoșani produced a composed away performance to eliminate Selimbar from the Romanian Cup, securing a 3-1 victory on August 20, 2026. The Liga 1 side showed the gap in class when it mattered most, but the hosts ensured it was a competitive evening rather than a routine stroll.

Match Overview

Played at Selimbar's home ground, the cup tie had all the hallmarks of a classic lower-league challenge against top-flight opposition. Selimbar, full of energy and determination, made life difficult for Botoșani in patches, but the visitors' clinical edge in front of goal proved to be the decisive factor.

Botoșani advanced to the next round of the competition with a display built on patience and sharp finishing. While Selimbar will be disappointed to bow out, they can take pride in pushing a Liga 1 team to the final whistle.

First Half: Botoșani Take Control

The visitors settled into their rhythm early, dominating possession and moving the ball quickly across the midfield. Selimbar sat deep and looked to hit on the break, but the pressure eventually told. Botoșani broke the deadlock midway through the first half when a well-worked move down the right flank ended with a precise low finish past the Selimbar goalkeeper.

The away side doubled their advantage before the interval. From a corner, Botoșani rose highest to power a header home, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb. Selimbar had their moments in the opening 45 minutes, but they failed to test the Botoșani goalkeeper with any meaningful attempts.

Second Half: Selimbar Rally Before Botoșani Seal It

Whatever was said in the home dressing room at half-time worked. Selimbar came out with renewed energy and pulled a goal back shortly after the restart. A swift counter-attack caught the Botoșani defense off guard, and a well-taken finish gave the hosts a lifeline.

The goal sparked a period of sustained pressure from Selimbar, who pushed forward in search of an equalizer. They won corners and threw bodies forward, but Botoșani's backline stood firm. Then, with just over 15 minutes remaining, the Liga 1 side delivered the decisive blow. A quick turnover in midfield led to a slick breakaway, and the third goal of the night sealed the result, killing any hopes of an extra-time comeback.

Key Performers

• Botoșani's midfield engine: Controlled the tempo, kept possession tidy, and set up several attacking moves with clever passing.
• Selimbar's left winger: The liveliest attacking threat for the hosts, continually looking to stretch the play and was involved in the goal.
• Botoșani's center-back: Commanding in the air and alert to danger, especially during Selimbar's strong spell at the start of the second half.

What the Result Means

FC Botoșani move forward in the Romanian Cup, building momentum as they chase silverware in the 2026-27 campaign. For Selimbar, the cup run comes to an end, but the performance showed their ability to compete against higher-ranked opponents. The focus now shifts back to their domestic league campaign, where they will hope to turn the positives from this display into consistent results.