In the David Kipiani Cup game on 26 September 2026, Rustavi beat Samtredia 1:2. Match numbers: shots on target 6:5, corners 6:4.
Match report
Rustavi claimed a 2-1 victory over Samtredia in the quarter-finals of the David Kipiani Cup on Friday evening. The away side took control after the break and held on despite a late push from the hosts. The result sends Rustavi through to the semi-finals while Samtredia's campaign comes to an end.
Samtredia started with intent and earned a yellow card for V. Patsatsia in the thirty-eighth minute for a tactical challenge. To be fair, the hosts had their moments in the opening half but could not find a way through Rustavi's back line. The visitors sat compact and forced the home side into long-range attempts.
And here's the thing — the match turned in the space of nine minutes after the interval. Jean stepped up to convert a penalty in the fifty-second minute before J. Cordero Gonzalez doubled the lead just five minutes later. By then Samtredia had lost their shape and were chasing the game rather than controlling it.
Rustavi added a third goal through Y. Nakano in the eighty-first minute to settle any lingering nerves. Both managers made a flurry of changes around the eighty-fifth minute, bringing on fresh legs for the closing stages. Samtredia pushed for a consolation but Rustavi's defence held firm until the final whistle.
The statistics tell an interesting story. Samtredia enjoyed 51 per cent possession and registered six shots on target, but Rustavi were more clinical with five on target and two goals. The hosts out-attacked with 35 attacks to 42, yet it was the visitors who took their chances when it mattered most.
Rustavi's progression means they will face whichever side wins the other quarter-final tie. For Samtredia, the campaign ends on a high note given their recent form, but cup football is unforgiving. Three decisive moments decided this tie, and the away side got them right.
Prepared from match data
Key numbers
Possession, %51–49
Shots on target6–5
Shots off target4–2
Attacks35–42
HT🟨38' V. Patsatsia — Yellow card⚽52' Jean — Penalty⚽57' J. Cordero Gonzalez — Goal⇄73' O. Gagnidze — Substitution⇄73' T. Odikadze — Substitution⇄75' D. Ubilava — Substitution🟨79' G. Mandzhgaladze — Yellow card⚽81' Y. Nakano — Goal⇄85' Jackson Kenio — Substitution⇄85' K. Kakashvili — Substitution⇄85' D. Gvasalia — Substitution⇄85' B. Lopez — Substitution⇄90+2' Y. Nakano — Substitution⇄90+2' Jean — Substitution
