Popov holds his nerve from the spot to earn Rostov draw deep into added time

FC Rostov 1-1 FC Krasnodar
Wednesday 1 July, Rostov Arena

Goals: FC Rostov - (Popov pen 90+11); FC Krasnodar - Berg (13’)

Man of the Match: Wanderson (FC Krasnodar)

Eleven minutes into added time, Ivelin Popov held his nerve to convert a penalty that was awarded via VAR review. Marcus Berg’s first-half strike wasn’t enough to win the southern derby for FC Krasnodar on their first game back since the RPL’s pause against Rostov.

Berg drew first blood with an opportunistic volley early on after Wanderson had burned through the Rostov half. The Brazilian winger was a threat throughout with shots on goal in both halves.

Remy Cabella made his long-awaited return after a cruciate ligament layoff as a second-half substitute. As Rostov chased the game late on Aleksandr Dolgov missed a glorious chance after being set up by Aleksey Ionov.

Just when the visitors thought they had taken all three points, Kaio was punished for a handball. After a lengthy deliberation on VAR, Popov was allowed to step up to steal a point for Rostov. Even still there were another eight minutes of added time - to make 19 in total - but the teams had to settle for a point each.

FC Rostov travel to take on Krylia Sovetov Samara next on Saturday 4 July, while FC Krasnodar host the reigning champions Zenit St. Petersburg on Sunday 5 July.

FC Rostov: Pesyakov, Bayramyan (Hadzikadunic 62’), Osipenko, Chistyakov, Chernov, Saplinov (Popov 71’), Glebov (Normann 71’), Zaynutdinov (Vedernikov 87’), Mamaev, Ionov, Shomurodov (Dolgov 62’)

FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Petrov, Martynovich, Kaio, Ramirez, Olsson (Cabella 75’), Gazinskiy (Chernikov 64’), Utkin (Suleymanov 57’), Vilhenna, Wanderson (Fernandes 75’), Berg