Rapid led at half-time on Arena Națională, but Aymen Boutoutaou’s double helped FCSB cut the gap to second place to six points.

FCSB beat Rapid 4-1 at Arena Națională on Saturday, 24 October 2026, in the 13th round of the Romanian Superliga, giving Laurențiu Reghecampf a third win from three matches since his return. The result moved FCSB to 21 points and reduced the gap to second-placed Rapid, on 27, to six points.

FCSB started on the front foot, but the match was stopped in the ninth minute because smoke from pyrotechnics reduced visibility. Rapid settled better after the restart and went ahead in the 11th minute, when Latif Ouedraogo crossed first time and Filip Stojilkovic finished with a volley.

Rapid had further moments before half-time. Ouedraogo appealed for a penalty six minutes after the goal, but play continued, and Dobre had a chance in added time as the visitors reached the interval 1-0 up.

The second half changed the match. Karlo Muhar equalised in the 58th minute with a shot from outside the area, helped by a deflection off Pașcanu that wrong-footed goalkeeper Ungureanu.

The game then opened up. Stojilkovic went past Târnovanu in the box, but Dawa cleared the danger, and FCSB broke quickly at the other end, where Cisotti hit the post when through on goal.

Aymen Boutoutaou, introduced at half-time, put FCSB in front in the 69th minute. João Paulo made it 3-1 in the 79th minute with a placed finish, before Boutoutaou scored again from close range in the 81st minute to settle the match.

The derby drew 38,353 spectators, the highest attendance of the current Romanian top-flight season. Rapid had been allocated 8,000 tickets under the reciprocal agreement between the clubs.

Reghecampf points to the group

Reghecampf said FCSB had taken another step after the earlier wins under him, 1-0 against Oțelul Galați and 2-1 against FC Voluntari. He also praised Rapid’s goal, calling it one of the best of the championship, but said his own side had controlled enough of the game to deserve the turnaround.

“The difference today was made by the team, by the group. For me that is the most important thing, and every day I work and try to create a strong group.”

Laurențiu Reghecampf, FCSB head coach

The FCSB coach said he wanted a stronger bench and singled out Boutoutaou’s quality after the substitute’s two goals. He added that he does not speak much at half-time, preferring to give the players space to recover while making only a few points.

For Rapid, the defeat was a heavy one after a run of wins. Daniel Pancu said he had expected a difficult match, but not in that manner, adding: “From the first second, from when the match started, I did not feel that Rapid could win this game.”

Both teams now turn to the Cupa României. Rapid are due to travel to Petroșani to face Corvinul Hunedoara, while FCSB will play away against Gloria Bistrița.