Politehnica Timișoara beat Dumbravița 1:0 in the semi-finals of the Romanian Cup on Wednesday evening. The match finished 1:0 after extra time, with the only goal coming in the 102nd minute. The home side advance to the final after a hard-fought contest.
The decisive moment arrived late in extra time. Politehnica pressed high up the pitch and took advantage of a moment of clarity to end a barren spell. Dumbravița came for a cross he never reached, and the ball found its way past the goalkeeper. The score stood at 1:0 from then on.
Politehnica controlled the tempo with 60% possession and created more clear chances. They registered seven shots on target compared to one for Dumbravița, while corners told a similar story — nine to one. The hosts had six shots off target as well, suggesting they kept probing. Dumbravița were second to everything in the second half and felt the pressure.
Both sides picked up two yellow cards each, but no red cards appeared. Politehnica completed 134 attacks against 113 for the visitors, though the difference in quality showed more in the shots than the attack count. Things came to a head when the extra-time goal finally fell.
Politehnica had already beaten Dumbravița 1:0 earlier this season on July 4, so this was a familiar storyline. The home side came into this match with momentum — a 1:1 draw with Viitorul Șelimber on August 8, a 1:0 win over Čintea four days earlier, and wins in their two most recent fixtures. Dumbravița looked to be finding their feet with a 1:1 draw against Satu Mare on August 5, but the loss to Ștefănești on August 8 had dragged them back.
The result means Politehnica Timișoara are in control of the tie. They will now prepare for the final, while Dumbravița's campaign comes to an end. One goal, 102 minutes in, was enough to separate them.