Universitatea Craiova opens Champions League campaign with 4-1 win over ML Vitebsk in Hungary

Match summary

Universitatea Craiova needed only four minutes to take the lead through Ștefan Baiaram, who curled a shot into the top corner. Vitebsk equalised in the 20th minute when Gromyko fired in from 25 metres, but the Romanian side restored their advantage almost immediately. A foul by Bocherov on Etim led to a penalty, converted by Assad Al-Hamlawi in the 24th minute.

Penalty double

Craiova were awarded a second penalty just before half-time after a VAR review overturned the initial on-field decision. Al-Hamlawi stepped up again and made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute. Both teams had goals disallowed for offside in the second half: Diabate for Vitebsk in the 58th minute and Baiaram for Craiova in the 69th.

Late finish

Steven Nsimba sealed the victory in the third minute of added time, scoring the final goal of the match to make it 4-1. The game was played at the Mezőkövesdi Városi Stadion in Hungary, with no spectators, because UEFA requires Belarusian clubs to host European matches on neutral territory.

What comes next

The return leg is scheduled for 15 July 2026 at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium in Craiova. The winner of the tie will face either FK Borac Banja Luka or Levski Sofia in the second qualifying round. Before the match, Craiova coach Filipe Coelho had described Vitebsk as a good opponent with match rhythm from their domestic season, but said his team could get a positive result.

It is the first match of the season against a good opponent, who has a very good rhythm of play because they have already played 17 league matches. We know it is a difficult match, but we also know we can get a good result.