Costache Stuns Zimbru Late as Noah Snatch 1-1 Draw

Zimbru’s European dreams were left dangling by a knife-edge as Vladimir Costache’s 89th-minute equaliser earned FC Noah a dramatic 1-1 draw in their Europa Conference League 2nd qualifying round first leg. The Moldovan hosts had led since Stefan Bytca’s first-half strike, but were punished for failing to kill the game when substitute Costache struck with time running out.

Zimbru’s First-Half Control

The home side settled quickest in Chisinau’s sweltering heat, with Brazilian playmaker Caio Dantas pulling strings behind lone striker Victor Stina. Their pressure told two minutes before half-time when Dantas slipped a perfectly weighted through ball for Bytca, who coolly slotted past Dani Figueira to send the Zimbru Arena into raptures. Noah’s frustration boiled over moments later when Stone Mambo earned a needless yellow card for a late lunge on Rosario.

Noah’s Second-Half Resurgence

Sandro Perkovic’s triple substitution on 64 minutes changed the game’s complexion – none more so than the introduction of Costache and Marko Lazetic. The Armenian visitors suddenly found rhythm, with Manvelyan and Hambardzumyan stretching Zimbru’s tiring backline. Their pressure finally told when Manvelyan danced past two challenges on the right before squaring for Costache to hammer home from eight yards, silencing the home crowd with just 60 seconds of normal time remaining.

What This Means

Zimbru will rue missed chances after dominating large periods, with Bytca’s withdrawal on 82 minutes proving particularly costly. For Noah, this smash-and-grab raid keeps their European hopes alive heading into next week’s return leg in Yerevan. The Moldovans must now score in Armenia to avoid elimination – a task made harder by Tudor Ceijas’ late yellow card ruling him out through suspension.