Universitatea Craiova vs 20.08.26 17:001 – 1Full Time
Ararat-Armenia — UEFA Europa League: stats, lineups & analysis
Match report
Craiova and Ararat-Armenia share the points in Europa League play-off first leg
Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia drew 1-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco. Both goals arrived inside the opening half-hour, leaving the sides level heading into the second leg.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Alexandros Malis put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute, converting after being set up by Hugo Oliveira. Craiova responded within thirteen minutes as Nicusor Bancu levelled matters, finishing off a chance created by Alexandru Cicaldau, and the score stood at 1-1 by half-time and remained that way through to the final whistle.
The home side dominated territorially in the second half without adding to the scoreline, racking up eight corners to Ararat-Armenia's four and seven shots on target compared to the visitors' two. Craiova also picked up four yellow cards to their opponents' none, with referee Nick Walsh booking players from the home side throughout an increasingly stretched contest.
Craiova doubled up their opponents on shots on target, seven to two, yet could not turn that pressure into a winning goal.
Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia drew 1–1 (half-time 1–1).
Universitatea Craiova met Ararat-Armenia in the UEFA Europa League (Play-offs). Kick-off was Thursday, 20 August 2026, 17:00 UTC at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco. Referee: Nick Walsh.
Team pages: Universitatea Craiova · Ararat-Armenia · UEFA Europa League
Key moments
- 20' Goal: Alexandros Malis (assist: Hugo Oliveira) — 0–1 · Watch Alexandros Malis's goal video (20')
- 33' Goal: Nicușor Bancu (assist: Alexandru Cicâldău) — 1–1 · Watch Nicușor Bancu's goal video (33')
Starting line-ups
Universitatea Craiova (3-4-3)
Ararat-Armenia (4-3-3)
Pre-match read
Over 1.5 Goals. League base rate: 74% over 1.5 goals
Under 3.5 Goals. League base rate: 30% over 3.5 goals On the other hand: Team over/under identity — Universitatea Craiova have gone over 3.5 in 26% of their last 38 matches and Ararat-Armenia in 25% of their last
Over 2.5 Goals. League base rate: 53% over 2.5 goals On the other hand: Team over/under identity — Universitatea Craiova have gone over 2.5 in 47% of their last 38 matches and Ararat-Armenia in 56% of their last
Both Teams to Score — No. League base rate: 50% both teams score
Universitatea Craiova to Score. League base rate: 77% home sides score
Home rated 1572 vs 1372 — 0.82 expected score
Model-generated pre-match read. Not betting advice.
About this match
On this page: the Universitatea Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this UEFA Europa League fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
- Watch Alexandros Malis's goal against Universitatea Craiova (20').
- Watch Nicușor Bancu's goal against Ararat-Armenia (33').
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Universitatea Craiova 1–1 Ararat-Armenia. Explore more on the Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia team pages or the UEFA Europa League page.
Quick answers
›What was the final score of Universitatea Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia?
Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia drew 1–1 (half-time 1–1).
›Who scored in Universitatea Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia?
Alexandros Malis (20') for Ararat-Armenia; Nicușor Bancu (33') for Universitatea Craiova.
›Where can I watch Universitatea Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia highlights?
Goal highlights and video clips from Universitatea Craiova 1–1 Ararat-Armenia are on this page — open the videos tab to watch every goal.
›What is the head-to-head record between Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia?
Universitatea Craiova and Ararat-Armenia have met 1 time — 0 wins for Universitatea Craiova, 1 win for Ararat-Armenia and 0 draws.