On November 23, 2025, Aberdeen stunned the league leaders, Heart of Midlothian, with a 1-0 victory at Pittodrie Stadium — but not in the Scottish FA Cup, because there is no such thing. Scotland’s premier knockout tournament is the Scottish Cup, and the semi-final between these two sides already happened — in April. Today’s match was a gritty, high-stakes Scottish Premiership fixture, and the result sent shockwaves through a league where Hearts are unbeaten and Aberdeen are fighting to stay out of the relegation zone.
League Reality vs. Cup Memory
For fans scrolling social media or checking forums like pieandbovril.com, the confusion was understandable. The date — November 23, 2025 — triggered memories of the dramatic Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final on April 19, 2025, where Aberdeen beat Heart of Midlothian 2-1 in extra time, thanks to a clinical strike by Oday Dabbagh. That win sent Aberdeen to the final, where they went on to dethrone defending champions Celtic. But today? No cup glory. Just three points on the line in a league that’s become a two-horse race at the top.
The Match: Grit, Grit, and One Moment of Brilliance
The atmosphere at Pittodrie was electric — not because of a cup tie, but because Aberdeen, sitting 11th with just 11 points from 11 games, had nothing to lose. Hearts, meanwhile, were cruising at the summit: 9 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses — 30 points from 12 matches. No team in the league had beaten them. Until now.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute. Topi Keskinen, the Finnish midfielder signed from HJK Helsinki last summer, pounced on a loose ball after a Hearts clearance went awry. A quick one-two with Stuart Armstrong, a step inside, and a low, curling finish past Craig Gordon. The stadium erupted. It was his third goal of the season — and arguably his most important.
Hearts pressed hard after the break. M. Steinwender, who’d been sent off in the cup semi-final for a reckless challenge, was back on the pitch — and just as combative. He committed a foul in the 50th minute, then another in the 70th. Aberdeen’s defense held firm. Goalkeeper Nikola Mitov made two vital stops, including a fingertip save from a header by Shankman in the 68th minute.
Referee David Dickinson added five minutes of stoppage time — and in the 93rd minute, he pulled off his own highlight reel moment: a forward roll after a collision with a charging Hearts attacker. Fans laughed. Players shrugged. It was the kind of odd, human moment that reminds you this game is played by real people.
Lineups, Substitutions, and Tactical Notes
Aberdeen’s starting XI included seven foreign players — a sign of their rebuild under manager Stephen Glass. The midfield trio of Armstrong, Keskinen, and Polvara controlled the tempo after halftime. Substitutes Kevin Nisbet and Gavin Molloy came on in the 84th and 86th minutes respectively, adding pace and directness.
Hearts, by contrast, fielded a near-full-strength side. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, was as composed as ever. Young winger Young-Wilson, who made his Scotland debut last month, was lively but isolated. The red card in the cup semi-final still hung over them — a turning point that Hearts’ manager admitted cost them momentum. "We had the chances," he said post-match. "But Aberdeen defended like their lives depended on it. That’s what champions do — even when they’re not in the top six."
What This Means for the League
Hearts remain unbeaten — but now, their 12-game streak has been tested. They’re still 19 points clear of second-place Hibernian, but the pressure is mounting. With the winter break looming, every point matters. Aberdeen? They’re now just two points behind 10th-placed St Mirren. Survival isn’t just a dream anymore — it’s a possibility.
The rematch is scheduled for tomorrow, November 24, 2025, at Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh. Hearts will want revenge. Aberdeen? They’ll want to prove this wasn’t a fluke.
Historical Context: The Scottish Cup vs. The FA Cup
It’s worth reiterating: there is no "Scottish FA Cup." That’s an English competition, run by The Football Association. Scotland’s equivalent, the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, dates back to 1873 — the world’s oldest national football trophy. The 2024-25 edition began on August 10, 2024, with Culter’s 4-0 win over Invergordon. By the time the semi-final rolled around in April, only eight teams remained. Aberdeen’s 2-1 win over Hearts was one of the most dramatic of the season — and it wasn’t even the final. That came two weeks later, when they beat Celtic 3-2 at Hampden Park.
For casual fans, the confusion is understandable. But for those who live and breathe Scottish football, the distinction matters. The Scottish Cup is sacred. The Premiership is brutal. Today’s match was the latter — and it was every bit as compelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did people think today was a Scottish Cup semi-final?
The confusion stemmed from a forum post on pieandbovril.com referencing the April 19, 2025, cup semi-final — a match that ended in dramatic fashion with Oday Dabbagh’s extra-time winner. Some fans mistakenly assumed the November 23 fixture was a replay or another cup tie, not realizing the Scottish Cup had already concluded. The date, the teams, and the intensity of the rivalry all fed the misconception.
How does Aberdeen’s win affect their relegation battle?
Aberdeen now have 11 points from 11 games, just two points behind 10th-placed St Mirren. With only six teams avoiding relegation, every point is critical. This win snapped a three-game losing streak and gave them their first home victory since August. If they can replicate this performance at Tynecastle tomorrow, they’ll be within touching distance of safety — and that’s a massive psychological boost.
What’s the significance of Hearts being unbeaten but still losing?
Hearts remain the only team in the Scottish Premiership without a loss — 9 wins, 3 draws — but this result exposed their vulnerability in away games. They’ve won just once on the road this season. Their dominance at Tynecastle has masked a lack of consistency elsewhere. With Celtic and Rangers closing in, they can’t afford to drop points against mid-table sides — especially not in a 10-team league where margins are razor-thin.
Who are the key players to watch in tomorrow’s rematch?
For Aberdeen, Topi Keskinen and Kevin Nisbet will be pivotal — their combination in transition has been lethal. For Hearts, Craig Gordon’s leadership and the emerging talent of Young-Wilson could swing things. But the real story is tactical: can Hearts adapt their pressing game to counter Aberdeen’s compact defense? And will referee David Dickinson’s forward roll become a pre-match ritual?
Did any players get suspended after today’s match?
No red cards were shown today, but Hearts’ M. Steinwender received his third yellow card of the season, meaning he’ll miss the next league match if he picks up another caution. Aberdeen’s Mees Knoester also picked up his fourth yellow — a warning sign for their defensive stability in the final stretch. Both players will be under extra scrutiny tomorrow.
What’s next for Aberdeen after this win?
Aberdeen’s next three fixtures are all against top-half teams: Hearts tomorrow, then Dundee United and Hibernian. A single win in that run could propel them into the top half. Their manager has already hinted at a tactical shift — possibly moving to a 4-2-3-1 to maximize Keskinen’s creativity. For a team that’s lost six games this season, this win feels like the start of something real.
