Spartak Trnava Shocks Slovan Bratislava in Slovnaft Cup – Sabo the Hero

A dramatic penalty shootout saw FC Spartak Trnava advance to the quarter-finals of the Slovnaft Cup, defeating rivals ŠK Slovan Bratislava after a 1-1 draw. The match, played before a crowd exceeding 8,000 at the Anton Malatinský Stadium, culminated in a 5-3 victory for Trnava in the shootout.

A Decisive Penalty Kick

The winning penalty was struck by Erik Sabo, becoming the hero of the evening for Spartak Trnava. The victory was particularly poignant for Sabo, coming shortly after the loss of his mother in early February.

Shootout Drama

Trnava demonstrated composure from the spot, converting all of their attempts. Slovan’s Tigran Barseghjan was the only player to miss, his shot hitting the goalpost in the fourth round. Sabo then sealed the win for Trnava in the fifth round.

Did You Know? Spartak Trnava has now eliminated ŠK Slovan Bratislava from the Slovnaft Cup four times between 2022 and 2026.

A History of Cup Upsets

This defeat marks the fifth consecutive year Slovan Bratislava has failed to secure the Slovak Cup. Last year, Trnava also eliminated Slovan in the semi-final, again via a penalty shootout, with Sabo again proving decisive and Barseghjan missing a crucial kick.

Match Action

Idjessi Metsoko opened the scoring for Trnava in the 59th minute, heading in a cross from Paura. Slovan equalized in the 85th minute through a header from Mykola Kucharevyč following a series of passes.

Metsoko’s Redemption

Metsoko’s goal was celebrated with two somersaults, and a congratulatory embrace from captain Martin Mikovič. Interestingly, Metsoko previously played for Slovan on loan but was not signed permanently, returning to Plzeň before joining Trnava.

Expert Insight: The repeated penalty shootout failures for Slovan Bratislava suggest a potential mental hurdle for the team in high-pressure situations, while Trnava appears to thrive under such circumstances. This could be a significant factor in their continued success in this competition.

A Panenka Penalty

Sabo’s penalty was taken in the style of Antonín Panenka, chipping the ball into the center of the goal as the goalkeeper dove to either side, and was successful. Slovan captain Vladimír Weiss ml. Was seen consoling a visibly disappointed Barseghjan after the match.

Looking Ahead

Trnava will now face Podbrezová in the quarter-finals. Slovan Bratislava, meanwhile, will focus on their league campaign, with captain Weiss emphasizing the need for collective strength in their remaining twelve matches. He stated the team’s ambition to win the league, acknowledging it will be a challenging task.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the match?

The match ended 1-1 after regular time, with Spartak Trnava winning 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

Who scored the goals during the match?

Idjessi Metsoko scored for Spartak Trnava, and Mykola Kucharevyč scored for ŠK Slovan Bratislava.

Who was the hero of the match for Spartak Trnava?

Erik Sabo was the hero, scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout.

Given Trnava’s recent success in the Slovnaft Cup, how much pressure will they feel to continue their run and ultimately lift the trophy?