Metalurgistul Cugir and Unirea Alba Iulia played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Romanian Liga III on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Stadionul Metalurgistul. In a local derby that swung one way and then the other, the hosts let a two-goal lead slip as Unirea produced a determined second-half comeback to claim a share of the points.

A derby that delivered drama

The match kicked off under the lights at 22:00 local time, and the late start did nothing to dampen the intensity of a fixture that carries extra weight for both clubs. Metalurgistul Cugir, spurred on by a vocal home crowd, started brightly and looked capable of pulling clear. Unirea Alba Iulia, however, showed the resilience that has become their trademark in recent weeks, fighting back to level the score and extend their unbeaten run in Liga III.

With both teams based in Alba County, the encounter always promised a fierce contest, and it delivered in full. The draw leaves Metalurgistul ruing missed chances to kill the game off, while Unirea will take confidence from a spirited display that could prove crucial in the race for a promotion play-off spot.

First half: Cugir seize the initiative

The home side began with purpose, pressing high and forcing Unirea into a series of early errors. That pressure paid off in the 12th minute when a well-worked corner from the right was met by centre-back Andrei Popa, whose powerful header beat the goalkeeper at the near post. The stadium erupted, and Cugir continued to dominate possession.

Their dominance was rewarded again in the 34th minute. A quick counter-attack down the left channel ended with Mihai Deac being brought down inside the box. Deac dusted himself off and converted the penalty with confidence, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0. At that point, Unirea looked shell-shocked, struggling to string passes together and conceding territory far too easily.

Second half: Unirea’s fightback

Whatever was said in the Unirea dressing room at half-time clearly worked. The visitors emerged with renewed energy, pushing their full-backs higher and committing more bodies into midfield. Their improved intensity paid off in the 58th minute when Cristian Bud latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the area and fired a low drive into the bottom corner to halve the deficit.

The goal changed the complexion of the match. Metalurgistul, suddenly anxious, dropped deeper and invited pressure. Unirea continued to probe, and their persistence was rewarded late on. In the 88th minute, a dangerous free-kick from the right was flicked on at the near post, and substitute Alexandru Man rose highest to head home the equaliser, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling supporters.

There was still time for a late scare at both ends, but neither side could find a winner. The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw that felt like a victory for Unirea and two points dropped for Cugir.

Key moments

• 12’ – Andrei Popa heads Metalurgistul Cugir into the lead from a corner.
• 34’ – Mihai Deac converts a penalty to make it 2-0 to the hosts.
• 58’ – Cristian Bud pulls one back for Unirea Alba Iulia with a precise low finish.
• 88’ – Alexandru Man heads in a late equaliser for the visitors.
• 90+3’ – A last-ditch block from the Unirea defence denies Cugir a stoppage-time winner.

Tactical story: Press, patience and a late surge

Metalurgistul Cugir set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to dominate the midfield and exploit the flanks. Their high press worked perfectly in the first half, forcing turnovers and creating chances. However, as the game wore on, they struggled to maintain that intensity, and their failure to make substitutions earlier allowed Unirea to gain a foothold.

Unirea Alba Iulia, by contrast, started in a 4-3-3 but were overrun in the opening 45 minutes. Their manager switched to a more direct 4-4-2 after the break, bringing on fresh legs in wide areas. That adjustment stretched Cugir’s defence and created the space for Bud and later Man to exploit. The visitors’ willingness to keep pushing until the final whistle was the defining feature of their comeback.

Standout performers

Andrei Popa was a towering presence at the back for Cugir and capped his performance with the opening goal. Mihai Deac was lively throughout, winning the penalty and linking play intelligently. For Unirea, Cristian Bud was the catalyst for the fightback, his energy and direct running causing problems all evening. Goalkeeper Robert Ilie also deserves credit for a string of saves that kept the scoreline respectable