Spartak Moscow 1-2 FC Nizhny Novgorod
Saturday August 7, Otkritiye Bank Arena, Moscow

Goals: Spartak - Ponce 88’ FC Nizhny Novgorod - Gotsuk 4’, Kozlov 16’ 
Man of the Match: FC Nizhny Novgorod - Aleksey Kozlov

Newly promoted Nizhny Novgorod continue to be the feel good story of the season, and their latest achievement was the giant slaying of Spartak Moscow. A rotated Spartak went down just four minutes in after Kiril Gotsuk bundled the ball in from a corner. Wing back Aleksey Kozlov scored minutes later and this meant that Spartak chased the game for the best part of 80 minutes. 

Spartak were dominant in terms of possession and the number of shots, but were evidently out of luck and out of ideas. Olympian Ezequiel Ponce got a goal back, but Spartak still couldn’t manage a point. In the end, Nizhny managed an impressive clean sheet, ad are currently fighting for a European spot. 

Spartak seem to be going through a tough period, and will now play against Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday. 

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday August 14 - Spartak vs Ural; FC Nizhny Novgorod vs FC Ufa