Progresul Spartac București booked their place in the Romanian Cup final with a 2:1 victory over Metaloglobus on Tuesday evening. The semi-final at the Arena Națională saw the home side take control early and weather a late storm to seal progression. The result means Progresul will contest the trophy match, while Metaloglobus' campaign comes to an end.
C. Leonte gave the hosts the lead in the seventh minute, a quick strike that caught Metaloglobus off guard. D. Besca doubled the advantage just eight minutes later, and Progresul effectively put the game to bed before the break. Besca made it three in the sixty-sixth minute, a clinical finish that extended their lead and left the visitors with little to work with.
Metaloglobus refused to surrender. They began to dominate possession and created several chances, but Progresul's defence held firm. Then came the drama in the dying moments. A red card in the ninety-fifth minute changed everything, and Metaloglobus had a penalty to salvage something in the ninety-sixth. They missed it, and the match concluded with the hosts still in control.
The statistics tell a story of contrast. Metaloglobus enjoyed 68 per cent of possession and registered 115 attacks compared to Progresul's 65. They also had ten shots on target to three, yet could not find the net. Progresul were more efficient, converting their limited opportunities while Metaloglobus wasted theirs. The missed penalty only added to the visitors' frustration.
For Progresul, this victory caps a run of two consecutive wins after a mixed period earlier in the season. They beat Bolotin-Vale 3:1 and Fundulea 2:0 in their last two outings before this semi-final. Metaloglobus, meanwhile, will reflect on a season that started promisingly but ended in disappointment. They lost their last match 1:3 to Chindia and had already fallen short in this competition.