Mirzov double helps Spartak to opening Match Premier Cup win over Rostov

Reziuan Mirzov scored twice as Spartak won their first Match Premier Cup game - and first winter training match - 2-1 against Rostov. Dennia Hadzikadunic’s late consolation wasn’t enough to see Spartak top the table after round one.

In a rematch of last year’s opening game - which Spartak also won 2-1 on their way to lifting the inaugural trophy - there were few standout moments in the first half. Ezequiel Ponce’s electric pace took him clear of the Rostov defence halfway through the opening period but his threat was blocked by 18-year-old Danila Vedernikov.

Matthias Normann and Roman Zobnin both sent shots harmlessly over. Andreas Schurrle, who had objected vocally to Normann’s rash challenge on Ayaz Guliev moments earlier, left the pitch gingerly just before half time.

After a goalless first half, both sides replaced their entire lineups. Egor Baburin had to be replaced just three minutes after coming on at half time due to injury.

Maksim Glushenkov and Mirzov were brought on for Spartak up front, and the former wasted no time in carving through Rostov’s defence. Within seconds of the restart he burst half the length of the pitch into the box only to lose his footing.

Baburin was injured in the challenge and was replaced by Egor Sedov. Almost the very next move saw Zelimkhan Bakaev find Mirzov with a sumptuously weighted through ball, which the former Rostov forward poked delicately past the onrushing Sedov.

Roman Eremenko swung a volley a foot wide shortly after, before Bakaev’s shot lacked enough venom to trouble Sedov following his surging run from deep. With 15 minutes left a Rostov attack was cleared up by Glushenkov.

He took one touch to control the loose ball, and his second sent Mirzov galloping clear behind Rostov’s very high defensive line to coolly round Sedov and put Spartak 2-0 up. Hadzikadunic’s header with two minutes left found a way past Artem Rebrov but was too little, too late.

After the first round of matches Spartak are top of the standings. They face Lokomotiv next on Wednesday 5 February.

1 Spartak        3pts
2 Partizan       2pts
3 Lokomotiv    1pts
4 Rostov         0pts

Spartak Moscow 2-1 Rostov
1 February, Aspire Academy, Qatar
Goals: Mirzov 49’, 75’; Hadzikadunic 89’

Spartak first half: Maksimenko, Rasskazov, Kutepov, Maslov, Dzhikia, Ayrton, Bakalyuk, Guliev, Zobnin, Schurrle, Ponce
Spartak second half: Rebrov, Eshchenkov, Markitesov, Gigot, Gaponov, Melgarejo, Kral, Til, Bakaev, Mirzov, Glushenkov

Rostov first half: Pesyakov, Kozlov, Chistyakov, Osipenko, Vedernikov, Mamaev, Normann, Saplinov, Osipov, Bayramyan, Shomurodov
Rostov second half: Baburin (Sedov 48’), Cherkes, Logashov, Hadzikadunic, Chernov, Eremenko, Popov, Zaynutdinov, Proshlyakov, Kozhemyakin, Dolgov