Motherwell head to Hampden after a Regan Charles-Cook goal beats Aberdeen 1-0 at Pittodrie.
It was not the best football game of the season but it delivered a huge celebration in the away end when John Beaton blew the final whistle. Motherwell return to Hampden for a League Cup semi-final with a deserved win against a poor Aberdeen side.
Stephen O’Donnell returned at the start as Johnny Koutroumbis was benched and the home side kicked off under the sunny Aberdeen sky.
We're all going to Hampden
Neither team could score before the break but they could easily have shared a handful as glaring chances were missed. Tawanda Maswanhise struck the post when presented with a an opportunity from Charles-Cook after half an hour.
Motherwell were not at their fluent best as Aberdeen’s high press restricted their play from the back but the home side were unable to capitalise on their majority possession.
O’Donnell’s header from a corner seemed certain to cross the line but Aouchiche blocked the attempt. Knoester missed a sitter from six yards following a free kick but his shot rattled the bar with the rebound fortunately on the in-field side of the goal line.
Motherwell looked more composed after the break, content to plot a way forward. Emmanuel Longelo floated a ball into the area, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos failed to make contact and the ball squirmed wide.
Three Aberdeen substitutions came on the hour but they could only admire what followed minutes later. Longelo cut the ball back for Charles-Cook and from 20 yards the ball flew into the net off of Mitov’s left post.
There was a chance for another ‘Well goal when Maswanhise placed a cross on Stamatelopoulos’ head but the striker’s effort was well off target.
Aberdeen grew more desperate in their efforts to find a equaliser but their attack was littered with misplaced passes and wild shots. They are a poor lot.
The Motherwell team made the best of the post-whistle love in with the big travelling support and they will have a happy homeward journey.
The teams meet again next week at Fir Park but for now the ‘Well fans will look to the upcoming semi-final draw.
Aberdeen 0 Motherwell 1
Attendance
Team: Ward, O’Donnell, Gordon, Welsh (Balmer 89), Longelo, Watt, Said (Koutroumbis 75), Fadinger (Priestman 75), Charles-Cook (Osong 89), Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos
Saturday 20 September 2025
