Oltul Curtişoara Upsets League Leaders Alexandria in Tense Liga III Showdown

STADIONUL TINERETULUI, ROMANIA — In Romanian football’s third tier, where every match is a test of ambition as much as ability, Oltul Curtişoara delivered a performance for the ages on Saturday, upsetting second-place Alexandria 2-1 on a chilly October afternoon in a match that will reverberate through the rest of the Liga III – Serie 5 campaign.

From the opening whistle, Alexandria, perched comfortably in fourth place and riding a three-match unbeaten streak in league play, looked to impose their technical superiority. Their recent form—including a dominant 3-0 win over CSL Nanov and hard-fought away results—suggested a team on the rise. But Oltul Curtişoara, who scraped a 2-1 win last week at Progresul Spartac but had otherwise struggled for consistency, played with a desperation that belied their middling seventh-place standing.

The match’s first true moment of danger came in the 18th minute, when Alexandria’s central midfielder unleashed a dipping shot from 25 yards that forced a spectacular save from the Oltul keeper, who tipped the ball onto the crossbar. The rebound fell to an Alexandria striker, but his follow-up was scrambled clear by a diving defender—a vital intervention that kept the hosts level.

Oltul’s response was immediate. Three minutes later, a swift counterattack down the left flank saw their winger whip in a cross that was met at the near post by striker , who flicked a header inside the far post to send the home crowd into raptures. The goal, against the run of play, was a textbook example of clinical finishing—and a reminder of why these lower-league fixtures so often defy the form book.

Alexandria, stung by the setback, redoubled their efforts. Their pressure finally told in the 37th minute, when a well-worked set piece routine ended with a towering header at the back post from , the visiting captain, leveling the score at 1-1. It was a goal that illustrated Alexandria’s organizational strengths and set the stage for a tense second half.

Turning Points and Tactical Adjustments

As the second half unfolded, Oltul Curtişoara abandoned their earlier caution, pressing higher and disrupting Alexandria’s rhythm. The hosts’ tactical shift was rewarded in the 63rd minute, when a speculative long ball found its way to Oltul’s right winger, who cut inside and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. The strike—audacious in its execution—was a moment of individual brilliance that tilted the match decisively.

Alexandria, now chasing the game, threw men forward and twice came agonizingly close to equalizing. In the 78th minute, a low cross was met at the six-yard box, but Oltul’s goalkeeper produced a reflex save to preserve the lead. The visitors’ frustration grew as the clock ticked down, culminating in a needless second yellow card for Alexandria’s left back in the 85th minute—a dismissal that effectively ended their hopes of a comeback.

Contextualizing the Result

Saturday’s result is a crucial pivot in the Serie 5 narrative. Oltul Curtişoara, despite a rocky start to the season—three wins offset by four defeats in seven matches—have now strung together back-to-back league victories. Moving from seventh to , they have injected themselves into the mid-table conversation and demonstrated a newfound resilience.

For Alexandria, the defeat is a setback, but not a disaster. They remain in fourth place with 12 points, still within striking distance of the promotion places, but the loss exposes lingering vulnerabilities away from home. Their recent form—unbeaten in three before today—suggested momentum, but this result raises questions about their ability to grind out results against determined, physical opposition.

Head-to-head, these sides have split their recent meetings, with each winning at home. But today’s result, secured despite the odds, will be remembered as a statement of intent from Oltul Curtişoara and a missed opportunity for Alexandria to solidify their credentials as genuine promotion contenders.

The Road Ahead

For Oltul Curtişoara, the challenge now is to build on this momentum. With confidence renewed, their next fixtures—against teams in the lower half of the table—offer a chance to climb further up the standings. Consistency has been their Achilles’ heel, but performances like this suggest a team capable of more than mere survival.

Alexandria, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. With the top of the table tightly packed, every dropped point is magnified. Their upcoming schedule includes clashes with direct rivals—matches that will test their resolve and ambition. The red card and today’s tactical lapses will surely be topics of discussion in training this week.

Standout Performances and Key Details

• Oltul Curtişoara scorers: (21’), (63’)
• Alexandria scorer: (37’)
• Red card: Alexandria left back (85’, second yellow)
• Key moments: Oltul goalkeeper’s early save, clinical counter for the opener, set-piece equalizer, stunning winner from distance, late red card

What’s at Stake

In Liga III, where the margins between triumph and obscurity are razor-thin, Saturday’s result is more than three points—it’s a testament to the unpredictability and passion of football at this level. Oltul Curtişoara’s victory over Alexandria is a reminder that form, standings, and reputation count for little when the whistle blows. For both teams, the season’s story is still being written, but this match will be remembered as a turning point—one way or another.