Cyprus secured a valuable point in the sixth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, drawing 2–2 with Romania after a resilient comeback.
Romania struck early, with Denis Dragus scoring twice—once in the 2nd minute and again in the 18th—capitalizing on defensive errors. Despite the setback, Cyprus responded with energy and precision.
Andreas Tzionis tested the Romanian goalkeeper with a powerful shot, and minutes later, Loizos Loizou narrowed the gap in the 29th minute after a well-placed assist from Grigoris Kastanos. Romania nearly extended their lead before halftime, but Cypriot goalkeeper Fabiano made a crucial save in a one-on-one against Dennis Man.
Cyprus continued to press in the second half, eventually leveling the score and holding firm until the final whistle. The result marks a shift for the national team, combining strong performance with tangible reward in the standings.