Spartak Moscow 2-3 FC Tambov
Saturday 4 July, Otkritie Arena

Goals: Spartak - Bakaev (pen 35’), Larsson (64’); FC Tambov - Ciuperca (60’), Gritsaenko (73’), Obukhov (pen 82’)

Man of the Match: Jordan Larsson (Spartak)

Former Spartak Moscow youth product Vladimir Obukhov sealed a remarkable comeback win for FC Tambov from the penalty spot late on after his side had twice fallen behind to Zelimkhan Bakaev’s penalty and Jordan Larsson’s stunner. Valeriu Ciuperca and Aleksey Gritsaenko hit equalisers before Obukhov’s winner.

Spartak had dominated the opening period, and were rewarded 10 minutes before the break when they broke the deadlock from the spot. Larsson was upended by Soslan Takazov and Bakaev completed formalities.

Out of nowhere, Tambov hit back on the hour mark. Rybin collected the ball wide on the right on a rapid counter-attack, and picked out Ciuperca completely unmarked in the box to smash an emphatic volley into the roof of the net.

Larsson struck back almost immediately with a wonderful individual goal. Sobolev’s flick-on found the Swede with his back to goal outside the area, and after turning smartly he drilled a spectacular effort into the top corner. 

Tambov weren’t done yet though. An inswinging free kick from the right was met by a powerful header from Gritsaenko to draw the visitors level again. With less than 10 minutes to go Samuel Gigot was penalised for a challenge on Oleksandr Kaplienko in the box, and Obukhov gave them the lead from the spot.

Spartak Moscow are at home on Wednesday 8 July next with another Moscow derby, this time against Lokomotiv, while FC Tambov host Akhmat Grozny on Tuesday 7 July.

Spartak Moscow: Maksimenko, Maslov, Gigot, Dzhikia, Rasskazov, Kral, Umyarov (Til 65’), Ayrton, Bakaev (Mirzov 83’), Larsson (Ponce 65’), Sobolev

FC Tambov: Shelia, Oyewole, Gritsaenko, Takazov (Yurganov 79’), Rybin, Ciuperca, Karasev (Kaplienko 62’), Shlyakov, Kilin (Mamtov 90+3’), Fedchuk (Kabakhidze 63’), Obukhov (Salamatov 90+3’)