Zimbru vs FC Noah

Zimbru took the lead two minutes before half-time. Caio Dantas slipped a pass through the Noah defence and Stefan Bytca finished calmly to give the Moldovan hosts a 1-0 advantage at the break. The goal was timed at 43 minutes by the official match data.

Noah had controlled possession for long spells but created little of note in the first half. Stone Mambo was booked in first-half stoppage time for a late challenge.

Zimbru held that lead for the entire second half, absorbing pressure as Noah pushed forward. The Armenian side introduced fresh legs throughout the second period, making five substitutions in total.

Just as Zimbru looked set to take a slender advantage to Armenia, Noah struck. Substitute Gor Manvelyan, who had entered the pitch at the 83-minute mark, delivered the cross and Valentin Costache was on hand to finish from close range in the 89th minute.

Noah's persistence paid off in the dying minutes. The equaliser felt inevitable after sustained second-half pressure, but Zimbru will rue failing to clear their lines in the build-up. Manvelyan's delivery from wide caused chaos in the box, and Costache applied the finish that changes the complexion of the tie.

Valentin Costache (FC Noah) — Introduced from the bench, the forward scored the crucial equaliser with virtually the last meaningful attack of the game. His movement off the ball in the box created the space to convert Manvelyan's cross.

Caio Dantas (Zimbru) — The provider of the assist for Bytca's opener, Dantas was Zimbru's most creative outlet, finding gaps in the Noah defence with intelligent passing.

Stefan Bytca (Zimbru) — Took his goal clinically when it mattered most, showing composure to finish Dantas's through ball on the counterattack.

Gor Manvelyan (FC Noah) — The substitute made the decisive contribution, providing the assist for Costache's equaliser just minutes after coming on.

The 1-1 scoreline reflects a contest in which Noah controlled the territorial battle but struggled to convert possession into clear chances until the final moments. Zimbru created the clearer opportunities on the counter, with Bytca's goal coming from a well-executed transition. The late equaliser gives Noah the edge in terms of momentum heading into the second leg, but the tie remains wide open with the away goals rule no longer in effect in UEFA competitions.

The tie is perfectly balanced at 1-1 heading into the second leg at Noah's home ground on 30 July 2026. The winner of the aggregate tie will advance to the second qualifying round proper. For Zimbru, the draw will feel like a missed opportunity after leading for 46 minutes and holding Noah at arm's length for most of the second half. Noah, by contrast, will be the happier side — they avoided defeat and scored an away goal that keeps them in control of their own destiny.

A fair result on the balance of play. Zimbru will regret not doubling their lead when they had the upper hand, while Noah showed the resilience of a side that believed it could find a way back into the game. The second leg in Armenia promises to be a more open affair, with Noah likely to carry greater confidence into their home fixture.