USV Iasi 1-0 Stiinta Miroslava | Romanian Cup First Round

USV Iasi edged past Stiinta Miroslava with a narrow 1‑0 victory in the Romanian Cup first round on 29 July 2026. The match, which kicked off 10 minutes later than the other first‑round ties at 22:40 local time, was decided by a single second‑half goal at Stadionul Emil Alexandrescu.

Match Summary

Both sides began the match with intensity, aware that a cup upset was possible. Stiinta Miroslava, the lower‑ranked side, defended deep and looked to hit on the break. USV Iasi, playing in front of their home supporters, dominated possession but struggled to break down a stubborn Miroslava defence in the opening half.

The best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to USV Iasi striker Andrei Neacșu, who headed just over the bar from a cross in the 34th minute. Miroslava’s goalkeeper, Vlad Șerban, was also called into action with a smart save from a free kick.

Decisive Strike

The deadlock was finally broken in the 67th minute. A flowing move involving midfielders Ionuț Cojocaru and Mihai Popa ended with a precise finish from winger Alexandru Vasiliu, who curled the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box. The goal sparked celebrations among the USV Iasi fans and gave the home side the lead they deserved.

Stiinta Miroslava pushed for an equaliser in the final 20 minutes, but USV Iasi’s defence remained resolute. The visitors’ best chance came in the 83rd minute when a header from a corner was cleared off the line by a covering defender. USV Iasi held on comfortably in stoppage time to secure a 1‑0 win.

Impact and Next Round

The victory sends USV Iasi into the second round of the Romanian Cup, where they will face a stronger opponent. For Stiinta Miroslava, the narrow defeat ends their cup run, but they can take heart from a disciplined performance against a higher‑tier side.

USV Iasi’s manager praised his team’s patience and defensive solidity after the match, highlighting the importance of a clean sheet in knockout football. The result continues a positive early‑season trend for the club, who will now look to build momentum in both the cup and their league campaign.