FCSB secured a crucial 3-2 victory against Qarabağ FK in Baku to climb into the top eight of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) standings. The result ended Qarabağ’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages and showcased FCSB’s prowess from set pieces, with all three of their goals originating from corners.
Fast Start in Baku
The match began at a blistering pace. Qarabağ wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead within 90 seconds. Nəriman Axundzadə’s clever setup allowed Leandro Andrade to slice through the FCSB defense and calmly slot past Ștefan Târnovanu. However, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Florin Tănase delivered a pinpoint corner, and Adrian Șut’s powerful header brought the visitors level.
Drama unfolded further in the 10th minute when FCSB were initially awarded a penalty for a foul by Kevin Medina on Daniel Bîrligea. However, a VAR review overturned the decision, sparking debates among fans.
Qarabağ’s Response and FCSB’s Resilience
Despite dominating possession, Qarabağ struggled to create clear chances. It wasn’t until the 40th minute that they regained the lead. Marko Janković’s diagonal pass found Elvin Cafarguliyev, whose low cross led to an own goal by Joyskim Dawa. Yet again, FCSB retaliated swiftly. Another corner, this time in first-half added time, caused chaos in Qarabağ’s box, and David Miculescu capitalized with a sharp finish from a tight angle.
Tension in the Second Half
The second half saw Qarabağ pushing relentlessly. Cafarguliyev’s free-kick narrowly missed the target, fooling parts of the crowd into believing it was a goal. Moments later, the full-back set up a golden opportunity for Oleksiy Kashchuk, but the forward fired over from close range.
FCSB’s defense stood firm, with Joyskim Dawa redeeming himself with a crucial block to deny Medina. Qarabağ’s inability to convert their dominance into goals proved costly.
FCSB’s Decisive Blow
With just 16 minutes remaining, FCSB capitalized on another corner. Florin Tănase’s delivery caused havoc, and Adrian Șut’s header squeezed over the line after two deflections. Despite taking a knock in the process, Șut’s determination paid dividends, giving FCSB a hard-fought lead.
Qarabağ failed to find a late equalizer, ending their home UEL campaign with four defeats in four matches. Meanwhile, FCSB extended their unbeaten European run to four games, climbing to sixth in the standings.
Implications for FCSB
This victory places FCSB one point clear of ninth, setting the stage for an epic clash with Manchester United in the final group match. The Romanian side’s ability to capitalize on set pieces and resilience under pressure could be key as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
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This exciting clash between FCSB and Qarabağ FK not only delivered drama but also highlighted the importance of strategy and execution in football. Kenyan fans can draw inspiration from FCSB’s never-say-die attitude as they prepare for the final hurdle against Manchester United.