FC Tambov 0-1 Rubin Kazan
Sunday 13 December, Mordovia Arena

Goal: Rubin - Samoshnikov (20)
Man of the Match: Ilya Samoshnikov (Rubin)

Ilya Samoshnikov’s stunning first-half strike lifted Rubin into the top half of the RPL table, and condemned Tambov to a sixth straight league defeat. Tambov missed the chance to escape the automatic relegation places after their nearest two rivals - FC Ufa and Arsenal Tula - both lost earlier this matchday.

Tambov stay 15th on 12 points, while Rubin move up to eighth on 27 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Thursday 17 December - Akhmat Grozny vs Rubin Kazan; Friday 18 December - FC Tambov vs Ural Ekaterinburg.