Aleksey Miranchuk double hands Lokomotiv win over Rubin Kazan

Rubin Kazan 0-2 Lokomotiv Moscow
Saturday 27 June, Ak Bars Arena

Goals: Lokomotiv - Al. Miranchuk (23’, pen 28’)

Man of the Match: Aleksey Miranchuk

Aleksey Miranchuk struck twice in six first-half minutes to help Lokomotiv Moscow to a 2-0 win away to Rubin Kazan. Igor Konovalov’s header hit the bar in the closing stages for the hosts, but Marko Nikolic eased his side to a second win in two matches in charge.

Rubin Kazan had the better of the opening exchanges and were confident throughout. In the opening 10 minutes Pablo Santos glanced a header just wide and Soltmurad Bakaev curled a shot on target as Rubin took the initiative.

Midway through the first half, the game was turned on its head in a five-minute spell. Firstly, Aleksey Miranchuk - Lokomotiv’s matchwinner last week against FC Orenburg - broke the deadlock against the run of play as he curled a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Moments later Carl Starfeldt handled a Dmitri Rybchinskiy shot in the penalty area, leaving Miranchuk to blast a powerful spot kick home. Joao Mario struck the post with a trickling shot on the turn three minutes before the break.

The scoreline didn’t quite reflect the competitive display from Rubin, especially Konovalov’s late chance, but Lokomotiv held on for a valuable win.

Rubin Kazan travel to take on FC Ufa away from home next on Wednesday 1 July, while Lokomotiv Moscow host Krylia Sovetov Samara at home the day before.

Rubin Kazan: Dyupin, Uremovic, Pablo Santos, Starfeldt, Samoshnikov, Abildgaard, Mogilivets (Ig. Konovalov 62’), Bakaev (N. Markov 52’), Jevtic (Davitashvili 62’), Kvaratskhelia (E. Markov 73’), Ignatyev

Lokomotiv Moscow: Guilherme, Ignatyev, Corluka (Kverkvelia 84’), Murilo, Rybus, Barinov, Krychowiak, Rybchinskiy (An. Miranchuk 77’), Al. Miranchuk, Joao Mario (Idowu 90’), Eder