FCSB 1 - 2 FT Shkendija

Shkendija's Miracle at Arena Nationala: Macedonian Minnows Stun FCSB in Champions League Thriller

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 57/100. Shkendija's 2-1 comeback victory at FCSB's fortress represents one of the competition's most audacious upsets, turning a first-half deficit into a late-game masterclass in composure and clinical finishing.

Early Dominance Crumbles in Five Minutes

FCSB started with intensity that suggested they would cruise through this qualifier. J. Cisotti's 28th-minute finish, set up by D. Birligea's assist, gave the hosts the perfect platform—a 1-0 lead at Arena Nationala felt like the beginning of a coronation. The home crowd sensed control. The narrative was written. Then Shkendija rewrote it entirely.

Just five minutes later, L. Latifi struck the balance with an equaliser that would prove the turning point. No assist credited, no fanfare—just ruthless efficiency. The Macedonian side, written off before kick-off, suddenly had stakes that mattered. Arena Nationala fell silent. The upset factor was real.

The Late Twist That Changed Everything

For 54 minutes, the match hung in the balance. FCSB pressed but lacked the cutting edge to reclaim control. Shkendija, meanwhile, grew in confidence—a dangerous proposition for any opponent. The 87th minute arrived like a thunderbolt: V. Krstevski's goal, unassisted but utterly decisive, sent the visiting bench into delirium and the home support into despair.

This wasn't a fluke. This was a team that absorbed pressure, weathered the storm, and struck when it mattered most. Shkendija had travelled to Romania's capital and left with the kind of result that reshapes qualification narratives entirely. For FCSB, the sting of letting a winning position slip away will linger long after the final whistle.

What Comes Next?

The return leg looms as a potential minefield for the hosts. Shkendija has proven they belong in this competition, while FCSB must rebuild their confidence and rediscover the ruthlessness that got them here. Champions League football rewards the brave and punishes the complacent. This night proved exactly that.

Tactical Tension Defines Bucharest Showdown

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. A match where the Stakes of European progression will likely stifle attacking intent in favour of defensive security.

The Setup

On July 30, the 2nd Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League brings FCSB and Shkendija together for a high-pressure encounter at the Arena Nationala. The competitive Balance of this tie is razor-thin; both clubs are acutely aware that a single defensive lapse in this first leg could dismantle their entire continental campaign. While the home side carries the weight of expectation, their early-season Form suggests a squad still finding its clinical edge, making this a potentially frustrating evening for the local support.

Key Battle

The contest will be decided by the efficiency of the transition phase. With a lack of established Stars to provide individual brilliance, the focus shifts to a unit-vs-unit struggle. The home side's midfield unit will be tasked with recycling possession and probing for openings against a disciplined away defensive block that is expected to sit deep and absorb pressure for long periods.

Our Prediction

Expect a cagey, low-scoring affair defined by tactical caution. The match is likely to unfold as a game of patience, with the hosts eventually finding a breakthrough via a set-piece or a forced error late in the second half. A narrow 1-0 victory for the home side seems the most probable outcome, leaving the tie delicately poised for the return leg.