Dinamo București defeats ten-man FCSB 2-1 to retain top spot in Superliga

Early VAR interventions and Duarte dismissal

Dinamo București defeated FCSB 2-1 on Saturday evening at the Arcul de Triumf Stadium in Bucharest in front of 6,592 spectators. Dinamo created the first scoring opportunity in the seventh minute when Mamadou Karamoko shot from 15 meters, prompting a stop from FCSB goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu. Târnovanu intervened again six minutes later to deny Alexandru Musi inside the penalty area. The derby escalated in the 22nd minute during a challenge between Meriton Korenica and Cătălin Cîrjan, which referee Istvan Kovacs reviewed via pitchside video before waving play on. In the 31st minute, Kovacs issued a straight red card to FCSB defender Andre Duarte following an altercation in which Duarte struck Dinamo midfielder Andrei Mărginean. One minute later, Kovacs awarded FCSB a penalty for a tackle by Raul Opruț on Ayman Boutoutaou, but overturned both the penalty decision and Opruț's caution after consulting the video monitor.

Pascual strikes and second-half action

Dinamo capitalized on their numerical advantage in the 36th minute when defender Martin Pascual volleyed in a free kick delivered by Daniel Armstrong. FCSB appeared to equalize in the second minute of first-half stoppage time through Arnold Garita, but Kovacs ruled the goal out for an attacking foul against Pascual. FCSB manager Marius Baciu introduced Ofri Arad and Alexandru Stoian at half-time, with Stoian heading a cross from Garita over the crossbar in the 47th minute. Dinamo goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch parried a shot from Darius Pădurariu in the 67th minute, while Târnovanu saved efforts from Julien Verreth and Cîrjan. Dinamo doubled their advantage in the 78th minute when Pascual connected with an Armstrong corner, and the ball deflected off Arad into the FCSB net for an own goal.

Late goals, penalty stop and second red card

FCSB responded in the 84th minute when David Miculescu scored from outside the penalty box into the far corner, beating Bellaarouch. Three minutes later, Târnovanu brought down Dinamo substitute Dean Zandbergen in the box, conceding a penalty. Armstrong took the spot kick in the 88th minute, but Târnovanu deflected the attempt away with his feet to keep FCSB in contention. In the 91st minute, Cîrjan received his second yellow card for simulation at the edge of the area and was sent off, balancing both squads at ten players. Following the final whistle, a Dinamo team official reflected on the outcome.

It was a tough match, but we are happy with the victory.

Standings and recent derby record

The victory keeps Dinamo in first place in the Romanian Superliga with 17 points after eight rounds, extending their lead at the summit. FCSB sits in sixth place on 11 points, recording their second consecutive league loss after a previous defeat to UTA Arad. Dinamo entered the weekend with one victory in the previous 12 official encounters against FCSB, a span in which FCSB won ten matches.