FC Voluntari moved a step closer to securing their place in the Liga II promotion shake-up with a convincing 4-2 victory over CSA Steaua Bucureşti at the Stadionul Steaua, a result that broadly aligned with the Lemeister model’s pre-match expectation of a narrow away win. The model had given the visitors a 49 per cent chance of victory, projecting a 3-1 scoreline, and while the final margin was one goal larger than anticipated, the underlying narrative was shaped by Voluntari’s superior efficiency in front of goal and a decisive second-half surge.
The match was goalless until the final moments of the first half, when Voluntari were awarded a penalty. D. Andrei stepped up to convert from the spot with confidence, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break. That strike was a product of sustained pressure, with Voluntari having already created the better openings in the opening period despite the scoreline remaining level. The home side’s discipline was tested late in the half, with D. Nedelcu receiving a yellow card in the 43rd minute, a sign of the frustration that was beginning to build as Steaua struggled to impose themselves.
The pattern continued early in the second half. B. Chipirliu equalised for Steaua from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, briefly restoring parity and giving the home side a foothold. That was as good as it got for the hosts, however. Within 21 minutes, Voluntari had turned the game on its head. The crucial moment came in the 71st minute, when M. Adascalitei inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to restore Voluntari’s lead. That goal appeared to deflate Steaua, and they were behind again just two minutes later as R. Gutea found the net from open play to make it 3-1.
Voluntari’s momentum was relentless. G. Merloi added a fourth in the 83rd minute, putting the result beyond any reasonable doubt. B. Chipirliu did score his second of the evening for Steaua in the 90th minute, a consolation from open play, but it was far too late to spark a comeback. The final minutes saw another yellow card for the home side, further underlining the defensive strain they were under.
Without detailed shot or possession data, the scoreline itself tells the story of clinical finishing. Voluntari scored four times from what appeared to be a manageable number of clear opportunities, while Steaua needed a pair of penalties to get on the scoresheet and could only add one goal from open play. The 4-2 final score reflects a match where the visitors were more ruthless in both boxes, particularly during the decisive 12-minute spell that produced three goals.
For Voluntari, this result continues a strong run in the Championship Group. The three points keep them firmly in contention at the top of the standings, and their ability to absorb Steaua’s brief equaliser before producing such a devastating response speaks to their resilience. Steaua, meanwhile, have now lost ground in the promotion race. Their performance, reliant on penalties for goals and undermined by a costly own goal, leaves them with much to address in the final rounds of the season. The Lemeister model’s pre-match read was essentially vindicated: Voluntari were the likelier side, and they delivered.
