Although Gibraltar’s Europa FC held out for almost an hour, a stunning free kick from Ricardo Alves kick-started FC Orenburg’s path to a 3-0 win. Goals in the last seven minutes from Danil Lipovoy and Artem Kulishev sealed the result.

Konstantin Emelyanov’s side have now won their last four friendlies without conceding once. Although this was a low-key match, it allowed FC Orenburg to rest talisman Djordje Despotovic and give game time to Adi Gottlieb, Islambek Kuat and Artem Kulishev.

Alves’ swerving left-footed free kick just before the hour mark was perfectly placed into the far corner from just outside the box. After Danil Lipovoy’s smooth bottom-corner finish, Alves saw a penalty saved.

Kulishev had wanted to take the spot kick before his Portuguese teammate insisted on the responsibility. Moments later though he got on the scoresheet himself with a powerful low finish from a tight angle.

FC Orenburg will play FC Sarpsborg of Norway next on Friday 21 February.

FC Orenburg 3-0 Europa FC
18 February, Marbella, Spain
Goals: Alves (59’), Lipovoy (83’), Kulishev (87’)

Orenburg: Klimovich, Kulishev, Shakhov, Gottlieb, Lapshov, Zotov, Rogic (Kuat 54’), Kaplenko (Lipovoy 78’), Alves, Lipovoy (Chukanov 46’), Fameye