Goals from Ezequiel Ponce, Roman Zobnin and Jordan Larsson handed Spartak Moscow a 3-1 win over Ararat Yerevan in Sochi. Nine changes were made at half time but they didn’t disrupt two second-half goals sealing the result.

Larsson made his first appearance of the winter training schedule after recovering from an injury he had picked up while representing his country. He capped his return in the last minute by turning in Reziuan Mirzov’s shot.

Ponce had opened the scoring after 18 minutes by converting Nikolay Rasskazov’s cross, before Wesley replied for Ararat. After the break, Zobnin’s top-corner finish restored Spartak’s lead amidst a host of chances for Domenico Tedesco’s men.

Ararat were captained by former Spartak full-back Evgeniy Makeev, managed by former Ufa manager Igor Konylvalov and named another former Spartak player, Aleksandr Kozlov, in their lineup. The last time these teams had met was in the final season of the Soviet Higher League in 1991.

Spartak have already returned to Moscow to complete their preparations for the remainder of the Russian Premier Liga season. They will take on Pahktakor at the Otkritie Arena next on Saturday 22 February.

Spartak 3-1 Ararat Yerevan
16 February, Sputnik-Sport Complex, Sochi
Goals: Ponce (18’), Zobnin (68’), Larsson (90’); Wesley (23’)

Spartak: Maksimenko, Rasskazov (Eshchenko 46’), Gigot (Kutepov 46’), Dzhikia (Gaponov 46’), Ayrton (Maslov 46’), Kral (Markitesov 46’), Zobnin, Bakaev (Guliev 46’), Ponce (Melgarejo 46’), Til (Mirzov 46’), Sobolev (Larsson 46’)