FCSB 2-3 Auda: Kader Kone's 90+4' header stunned the Romanian giants in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League 2nd qualifying round tie in Bucharest.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Auda stunned the Stadionul Steaua crowd after just five minutes. Eduards Dašķevičs collected Hussaini Ibrahim's pass and finished past Stefan Târnovanu to give the visitors a 0-1 lead — Dašķevičs' first European goal.
FCSB responded through Octavian Popescu, who levelled in the 23rd minute with a finish set up by Florin Tănase. But parity lasted only nine minutes. Barthélémy Diedhiou restored Auda's advantage in the 32nd minute, converting Youba Traoré's assist to make it 1-2 at the break.
Marius Baciu sent on Alexandru Stoian and Ronny Labonne at half-time, and Stoian's impact was immediate — he set up Aymen Boutoutaou for the equaliser in the 71st minute, bringing FCSB level for the second time.
Just as the home side looked to have rescued a draw, Youba Traoré delivered a cross from the right in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Kader Kone rose highest to head home and spark wild celebrations among the travelling Auda contingent.
The Turning Point
Kone's 90+4' header was the decisive moment. FCSB had fought back twice — from 0-1 and 1-2 — and seemed to have secured a credible draw that would have set up a manageable return leg. Traoré's second assist of the night undid that work in an instant, flipping the tie's momentum entirely in Auda's favour.
Key Performers
- Kader Kone (Auda) — The 24-year-old Ivorian forward scored the stoppage-time winner, his first goal in UEFA competition. A constant threat on the counter-attack.
- Youba Traoré (Auda) — Two assists (32' and 90+4'), both from the right flank, picking out Diedhiou and Kone with precise deliveries that FCSB's defence could not handle.
- Octavian Popescu (FCSB) — Scored FCSB's first equaliser and was the home side's most dangerous attacking outlet before being substituted in the 88th minute.
Player of the Match: Kader Kone (Auda)
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Auda's three goals from just five shots on target (per provider data) reflect clinical finishing rather than sustained dominance. FCSB controlled possession for long spells, particularly after the half-time substitutions, but conceded from both early pressure and a late set-piece. The 2-3 scoreline flatters FCSB's second-half revival but also punishes their slow start — two of Auda's three goals arrived before the 33rd minute, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that will worry Baciu ahead of the return leg.
What It Means
Auda take a 3-2 lead back to Latvia for the second leg on 30 July 2026. The winner of the tie will face either Paide Linnameeskond (Estonia) or FK Zira (Azerbaijan) in the third qualifying round. For FCSB, the result means they must win by at least two goals in the away leg to advance outright, or by a single goal to force extra time. The Romanian side have won only one of their last four European home matches.
Verdict
Auda's European debut was a statement. They were organised, clinical on the counter, and showed no fear at a venue that has hosted Champions League football. FCSB, who have won the European Cup, are now staring at an early exit unless they can produce a significantly more disciplined performance away from home.
The return leg takes place on Thursday, 30 July 2026 in Ķekava, Latvia.
Match Events
assist: H. Ibrahim
assist: F. Tănase
assist: Y. Traore
assist: A. Stoian
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 23 Jul 2026