Match report

Cyprus 2–2 Romania: A Thrilling World Cup Qualification Draw

Cyprus
Cyprus
2–2
FT
Romania
Romania
Sep 9, 2025

In a pulsating World Cup Qualification Europe match, Cyprus managed to hold off Romania, securing a 2-2 draw. Romania took an early lead with two goals by D. Drăguș, but Cyprus fought back with goals from L. Loizou and C. Charalampous, ensuring a thrilling finish.

Key Facts

  • • Romania's D. Drăguș scored two goals in the 2nd and 18th minutes.
  • • L. Loizou equalized for Cyprus in the 29th minute.
  • • C. Charalampous secured the draw for Cyprus in the 76th minute.
  • • Cyprus saw multiple players cautioned, including Ioannis Kousoulos and Ioannis Pittas.

Lineups

Cyprus

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 12 Fabiano Freitas (G)
  • 16 A. Shikkis (D)
  • 15 C. Sielis (D)
  • 19 K. Laifis (D)
  • 2 K. Pileas (D)
  • 8 I. Kousoulos (M)
  • 20 G. Kastanos (M)
  • 17 L. Loizou (M)
  • 13 I. Kosti (M)
  • 21 M. Tzionis (M)
  • 9 I. Pittas (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 J. Mall
  • 22 N. Michail
  • 3 N. Panagiotou
  • 4 S. Andreou
  • 5 C. Charalampous
  • 6 G. Satsias
  • 7 Anderson Correia
  • 10 P. Sotiriou
  • 11 A. Kakoullis
  • 14 N. Koutsakos
  • 18 K. Artymatas
  • 23 C. Kyriakou

Romania

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 12 H. Moldovan (G)
  • 2 A. Ratiu (D)
  • 5 V. Ghita (D)
  • 15 A. Burca (D)
  • 11 N. Bancu (D)
  • 6 M. Marin (M)
  • 20 D. Man (M)
  • 18 R. Marin (M)
  • 10 N. Stanciu (M)
  • 14 A. Dobre (M)
  • 7 D. Dragus (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 S. Tarnovanu
  • 16 R. Sava
  • 3 M. Popescu
  • 4 A. Chipciu
  • 8 A. Sut
  • 9 S. Baiaram
  • 13 V. Screciu
  • 17 D. Miculescu
  • 19 F. Tanase
  • 21 D. Olaru
  • 22 A. Mitrita
  • 23 D. Sorescu

Timeline

  1. Romania
    2' Romania Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Drăguș
  2. Romania
    18' Romania Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Drăguș · Assist: Razvan Marin
  3. Romania
    21' Romania Card · Yellow Card
    N. Bancu

    Foul

  4. Cyprus
    29' Cyprus Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Loizou · Assist: G. Kastanos
  5. Romania
    44' Romania Card · Yellow Card
    Andrei Burcă

    Foul

  6. Cyprus
    46' Cyprus subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Pileas · On: Anderson Correia
  7. Cyprus
    48' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    Ioannis Kousoulos

    Foul

  8. Cyprus
    54' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    Ioannis Pittas

    Off the ball foul

  9. Cyprus
    62' Cyprus subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ioannis Kousoulos · On: C. Charalampous
  10. Cyprus
    62' Cyprus subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Loizou · On: A. Kakoullis
  11. Romania
    65' Romania subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Dobre · On: D. Miculescu
  12. Cyprus
    68' Cyprus subst · Substitution 4
    Off: I. Kosti · On: C. Kyriakou
  13. Cyprus
    76' Cyprus Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Charalampous · Assist: A. Kakoullis
  14. Romania
    80' Romania subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Razvan Marin · On: A. Sut
  15. Romania
    80' Romania subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Man · On: D. Sorescu
  16. Romania
    85' Romania subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Unknown player · On: F. Tanase
  17. Cyprus
    88' Cyprus subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Tzionis · On: N. Koutsakos
  18. Cyprus
    90' Cyprus Card · Yellow Card
    C. Charalampous

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Cyprus Romania
Fouls 7 21
Pass Accuracy 85% 74%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 8
Corners 7 1
Total Passes 461 329
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 8 5
xG 2.25 0.97
Shots off Target 6 2
Possession 59% 41%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 393 244
Shots Inside Box 12 5
Saves 3 6
Shots Outside Box 6 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Romania took an early lead with two goals within the first 20 minutes, orchestrated by D. Drăguș, putting immense pressure on Cyprus.
  • ▸ Cyprus staged a comeback in the second half, with L. Loizou and C. Charalampous scoring crucial goals to level the match and maintain their World Cup Qualification hopes.