Trnava secured a dramatic victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Slovnaft Cup round of sixteen, prevailing 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. The win sends Spartak Trnava into the quarter-finals, where they will face Podbrezová. The match, played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Trnava’s stadium, saw a spirited performance from the home side, ultimately decided by a tense penalty session.
Idjessi Metsoko’s 59th-minute goal initially put Trnava ahead, but Slovan Bratislava responded through Mykola Kucharevyč in the 85th minute, forcing the game into extra time and eventually penalties. The atmosphere was electric, with 8,086 spectators witnessing the captivating encounter.
The first half saw Trnava dominate, creating several opportunities. Kudlička came close to opening the scoring, hitting the crossbar, and Metsoko too struck the woodwork. Slovan struggled to find their rhythm, with Šporar’s attempt also rattling the Trnava goal frame. The deadlock remained unbroken at halftime.
Slovan improved after the break, but Trnava broke the impasse through Metsoko, capitalizing on a cross from Pauro. However, Slovan refused to yield, and Kucharevyč’s header leveled the score late in the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Penalty Drama Decides the Tie
The penalty shootout proved to be a nerve-wracking affair. Barseghjan of Slovan saw his penalty hit the post, giving Trnava the advantage. Sabo then calmly converted his spot-kick, sealing the victory for the home side. Trnava’s Jureškin, Metsoko, Procházka, and Ďuriš all successfully converted their penalties before Sabo’s decisive strike.
Coaches Reflect on the Match
Spartak Trnava coach Antonio Muňoz praised his team’s performance, stating, “The boys deserved to progress, they did a very good job. I have a good feeling about the team, especially for the first half, in which the team showed what we want from them. At the finish of the day, we are in a very good mood, which is what we wanted. Congratulations also to the fans, who supported us wonderfully, we wanted to dedicate the victory to them today.”
Slovan Bratislava coach Vladimír Weiss acknowledged Trnava’s strong first-half display. “Trnava was clearly better in the first half, in the second half we were better. We changed the formation and strategy of the game. When you turn the result around in such a match, luck eventually favors you, but it was the opposite. We didn’t score one penalty, Trnava converted theirs, but that happens. That is not the reason why we lost. We were not active enough in the first half, then we played more offensively, we allowed ourselves more. That’s on my head, we should have played more boldly from the beginning of the match, which was confirmed after the change of sides.” Weiss also added, “Penalties are not a lottery, it’s an art. What Idjessi Metsoko showed is self-confidence and football art. We have to congratulate Trnava, let them enjoy the cup, we have to focus on the league and win it.”
The victory represents a significant boost for Spartak Trnava as they continue their Slovnaft Cup campaign. They will now turn their attention to their quarter-final clash against Podbrezová, while Slovan Bratislava will refocus on their league ambitions. The Slovnaft Cup continues to provide compelling drama for Slovakian football fans.
What comes next for both teams will be crucial as they navigate their respective competitions. Trnava will aim to build on this momentum in the quarter-finals, while Slovan Bratislava will be determined to bounce back in league play.
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