CSM Unirea Alba Iulia qualified for the final play-off for promotion to Liga 2 after defeating Minerul 3-0 in Lupeni on May 30, 2026. The team will face SC Popești-Leordeni away on June 6 in the decisive match. Ardei opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a header from a corner taken by Miclăuș, deflected by Giurgiu.

The half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Giosu doubled the lead in the 65th minute, converting a corner assisted by Mihaiu. Giurgiu sealed the result in the 77th minute from the penalty spot after Pîntea was fouled in the box.

Over 3500 spectators attended the match in Valea Jiului, including 150 fans who traveled to support CSM Unirea Alba Iulia. The victory extended the team's winning streak to four consecutive matches without conceding a goal. Coach Dragoș Militaru's side has surpassed its performance from the previous season, when CSM Unirea was eliminated in the play-off semifinals by SCM Rm.

Vâlcea after penalty shootouts. The club has not competed in Liga 2 for fourteen years. Minerul created two scoring opportunities through V. Borcea in the 30th and 32nd minutes.

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V. Popa cleared a shot from the goal line in the 32nd minute, but the home side could not find a breakthrough against CSM Unirea's defense. Minerul's starting lineup included Drîngă, Pancu, D. Vlad, V. Popa, Mar, Chițimia, Bedea as captain, Cr. Creciunesc, Raicea, Baidoo, and Petea.

Coach Ionuț Moșteanu made three substitutions at the start of the second half, bringing on Toma for Chițimia, Moise for Raicea, and Eshun for Petea. The reserves were Stana, Voinea, Trip, Dulap, Sima, Stana, and Tonca. CSM Unirea Alba Iulia fielded Ducan, Lambru, Ardei, and captain Jorza in the starting eleven.

Militaru made substitutions during the match, introducing Banyoi for Fetița and Ondreykovicz for Miclăuș. Pîntea came on and won the penalty that led to the third goal. The match was officiated by referee I. Coza from Cernica, with assistants Fl.

Vișan from Galați and I. Bobe from Bucharest. D. Lunca from Cluj-Napoca served as reserve referee. Observers M. Salomir from Cluj-Napoca and D. Mihai from Bucharest were present.

SC Popești-Leordeni secured their place in the final by defeating Șoimii Gura Humorului 3-2 at home. The halftime score in that match was 1-0. The final play-off match on Saturday, June 6, will determine which team earns promotion to Liga 2.