Dimun’s Extra-Time Heroics Send FC Košice to Slovnaft Cup Final

In a high-stakes Eastern derby that lived up to its billing, FC Košice secured their place in the Slovnaft Cup final with a grueling 2-1 victory over FC Tatran Prešov on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The second leg of the semifinal required extra time to separate the rivals after a tense 1-1 deadlock in regulation, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

The atmosphere at the Košice Football Arena was electric, with 9,652 fans in attendance—a record for the venue during the 2025/2026 season. The crowd witnessed a tactical battle that shifted momentum multiple times before a dramatic finish decided who would fight for the Slovak Cup title.

Early Shock and the Fight Back

Despite entering the match as favorites, FC Košice struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages. The first quarter-hour was a balanced affair, but Tatran Prešov struck first in the 18th minute. Following a precise cross from Souček into the box, Barbosa capitalized to beat goalkeeper Kiru, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead and a significant advantage in the aggregate score.

Barbosa nearly doubled the lead shortly after, but a promising chance went wide. Košice, however, refused to fold. The momentum swung back in the 33rd minute when Prešov forward Sagna committed a foul in the penalty area against Kóšu. Čerepkai stepped up to the spot in the 35th minute, converting the penalty to level the score at 1-1.

The second half remained a tight contest. Prešov continued to threaten on the counter-attack, most notably in the 56th minute when Sagna had a golden opportunity to restore the lead, but Kiru produced a critical save to keep the game level.

Drama in Extra Time

As the match entered extra time tied at 1-1, the fatigue of the “Východniarske derby” began to show. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 98th minute. After a series of coordinated passes in front of the penalty area, Milan Dimun found space and fired a left-footed shot past Knurovský to make it 2-1.

Košice pushed for a second goal in the closing stages, with Miljanić coming close to extending the lead, but Prešov’s defense held firm. Despite a late surge of effort from the visitors, the clock ran out at 120+2 minutes, confirming Košice as the second finalists of the tournament.

Coach’s Perspective and Tactical Struggle

Following the match, FC Košice head coach Peter Černák acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, noting that his team had to fight through a highly organized opponent.

“It was a hard match, and that is what we expected,” Černák said. “We saw that Prešov has quality players; they played organized and compact. It was hard for us to receive into scoring positions. The opponent scored from a set piece, and we had to claw the score back. It took a lot of energy. The guests continued to threaten on counter-attacks. Eventually, we broke it in our favor in extra time. We are happy to have advanced to the final.”

Match Summary: FC Košice 2-1 FC Tatran Prešov (AET)

For the global reader, the Slovnaft Cup represents the premier knockout competition in Slovak football, often serving as a gateway to European competition. The intensity of the Eastern derby between Košice and Prešov adds a layer of regional pride to the sporting stakes, which explains the record-breaking crowd for this semifinal.

The Road to the Final

With the victory, FC Košice now advances to the championship match. They are scheduled to face MŠK Žilina, who will play as the home team. The final is set for Friday, May 1, 2026, in Žilina.

Košice will appear to carry this momentum and defensive resilience into the final, whereas Žilina will aim to utilize their home-field advantage to claim the trophy.

Next Checkpoint: FC Košice vs. MŠK Žilina – Slovnaft Cup Final, Friday, May 1, 2026.

Do you think FC Košice can pull off an upset against Žilina in the final? Share your predictions in the comments below.