In a thrilling encounter at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, Universitatea Craiova and Rapid battled to a 2-2 draw on November 2, 2025. The match was a showcase of resilience and determination from both sides, reflecting their current standings in Liga I as they vie for top positions.
The game kicked off with an electric atmosphere, and it didn't take long for the action to unfold. Just 16 minutes in, Tobias Christensen put Rapid ahead with a well-timed strike that sent their fans into raptures. The early goal seemed to set the tone for Rapid, who came into this match riding high on confidence after a string of impressive performances.
However, Universitatea Craiova, currently sitting third in the league with 28 points, responded swiftly. In the 29th minute, Adrian Rus leveled the score with a powerful shot that found its way past Rapid's goalkeeper. This goal not only ignited the home crowd but also showcased Craiova's fighting spirit after struggling with inconsistency in recent matches.
As the first half progressed, both teams exchanged chances but failed to capitalize further before heading into halftime tied at one goal apiece. The stakes were palpable; each team knew how crucial this match was for maintaining momentum in their respective campaigns.
The second half saw Rapid regain their composure and push forward aggressively. Their efforts paid off when Lars Kramer scored in the 74th minute, putting Rapid back in front at 2-1. With this goal, Rapid solidified their position as title contenders, sitting second in the league with 31 points prior to kickoff.
But just when it seemed like Rapid would secure all three points, drama unfolded in stoppage time. In the dying moments of the match-specifically at 90+9 minutes-Steven Nsimba stepped up to take a penalty kick for Universitatea Craiova after being fouled inside the box. With nerves of steel, he converted the penalty to equalize once more at 2-2. The stadium erupted as fans celebrated what felt like a hard-fought point salvaged from defeat.
This result leaves both teams reflecting on missed opportunities but also highlights their tenacity. For Craiova, who have had mixed results recently-including two draws and one loss leading up to this match-the draw serves as a morale booster ahead of their next fixture against Uta Arad on November 9.
Meanwhile, Rapid will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for their upcoming clash against Arges Pitesti on November 8. Despite dropping points today, they remain firmly entrenched in the title race and will aim to bounce back strong.
As both teams continue down this competitive path in Liga I, today's match serves as a reminder of how tightly contested this season is shaping up to be. Each point matters significantly as they chase glory come May-a fact neither side can afford to overlook moving forward.