Moldova's national football team defeats Kazakhstan in Chisinau, strengthens chances of finishing second in group
Moldova’s national football team secured a valuable victory at the Zimbru Stadium, defeating Kazakhstan 2-1 in front of 7,000 spectators. The man of the match was Petru Popescu, the Petrocub Hancesti striker, who scored both goals.
Having arrived in Chisinau determined to avenge their home defeat, the Kazakh side was thoroughly dominated in the first half. The Moldovan footballers’ attacking play was rewarded with an outstanding effort from Petru Popescu, who opened the scoring with a spectacular goal from approximately 30 meters.
The second half brought a more aggressive response on behalf of the visitors. Returning from the dressing room with greater motivation, Kazakhstan equalized in the 51st minute through Cesnakov. He shot from 25 meters, and the ball took an unpredictable bounce right in front of goalkeeper Dumitru Celeadnic, making it 1-1.
Head coach Lilian Popescu made a string of inspired tactical changes that injected fresh energy into the team and turned the match in Moldova’s favor. On the 77th minute, substitute Nichita Motpan delivered an excellent cross from the right, and Petru Popescu finished decisively, completing his brace and putting Moldova ahead 2-1.
Until the final whistle, the Moldovan football team controlled possession confidently, managed their lead and secured three valuable points.
Following this success and according to the current standings, Moldova’s national team has collected 7 points and keeps the best chance of finishing second in the group.
Moldova national football team draws with Faroe Islands in Nations League
VIDEO // Cultural voucher for young people to increase to 2,000 lei and be usable for sports
PHOTO GALLERY // Romanian football legend Adrian Mutu has emotional meeting with young footballers in Chisinau
Moldovan athlete becomes world champion, marking historic first for para-judo in Moldova
VIDEO // Parliament speaker conveys message to coaches of Moldova
Three athletes from Moldova become beach wrestling world champions
PHOTO // European Week of Sport 2026 opened in Chisinau with race for children, young people
National weightlifting team wins 26 medals at World University Championships in Doha
Tudor Bratu - World University Weightlifting Champion
PHOTO // Head of state meets Moldovan rugby players who achieved European performances
PHOTO // Polish cyclist Radosław Frątczak wins first stage of Tour of Romania, held for first time in Moldova
VIDEO // Tour of Romania starts from Moldova; more than 130 cyclists start in Chisinau
PHOTO GALLERY // More than 130 cyclists set off from Chișinău in Tour of Romania
PHOTO GALLERY // Tour of Romania, starts in Chisinau for the first time
More than 172,000 public-sector employees to receive higher salaries
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration meets Ambassador of Türkiye
VIDEO // President after EPC summit in Dublin: Moldova has friends in Europe, alongside whom we work shoulder to shoulder
Two-million-dollar grant for energy renovation of public buildings in Moldova
DOC // Government decision on ratification of Moldovan-Ukrainian Agreement on military-technical cooperation published in Official Journal
Weather to sharply cool in Moldova
Moldovan Ambassador, Chinese officials discuss country’s inclusion in China’s tourist destinations program
DOC // Foreign nationals in Moldova to benefit from Romanian-language courses and integration support
Moldova wins seven medals at competition in Turkey
PHOTO // National Bank of Moldova launches commemorative coin dedicated to Nadia Comăneci and first perfect 10 in gymnastics history
Moldovan president, European leaders in Dublin focus on Moldova's security, next steps in EU accession process
Fragments of aircraft found in vineyard in Ștefan Vodă
Moldovan government's secretary general participates in annual Interreg 2026 event in Brussels
Moldovan president, at EPC Summit in Dublin: “We discussed the next steps in the country’s accession to the EU”
Moldova's judges, prosecutors to be able to continue external evaluation after submitting resignation application; parliament to amend legislation following Constitutional Court's ruling
Joint commission for decentralization resumes work in Moldova: local public administration reform, investments' financing on agenda of discussions