Makarov magic and Dyupin heroics steal all three points for Rubin

Rubin Kazan 2-1 Zenit St. Petersburg 
Monday 8 March, Ak Bars Arena 

Goals: Rubin - Despotovic (pen 41), Makarov (90+2); Zenit - Azmoun (75)

Man of the Match: Yury Dyupin (Rubin)

Denis Makarov’s sensational solo goal deep into added time sealed a dramatic win for Rubin, before an even later Artem Dzyuba penalty was saved by Yury Dyupin. 

Sardar Azmoun had equalised against his old club with a header from Yaroslav Rakitsky’s inswinging free-kick. The Iranian had hit the post twice and missed an open goal in the first half, before Djordje Despotovic scored his 10th goal of the season from the penalty spot just before half-time.

In the ninth minute of added time, Dzyuba had a golden opportunity to take a share of the spoils back to St. Petersburg with the last kick of the match from the penalty spot, but Dyupin got down low to keep his effort out.

Rubin rise to eighth on 34 points, while Zenit stay top of the table on 42 points. 

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 13 March - Zenit St. Petersburg vs Akhmat Grozny; Sunday 14 March - FC Ufa vs Rubin Kazan