Legia Warsaw 0-1 Spartak Moscow
UEFA Europa League, Group C
Thursday 9 December, Legia Warsaw Municipal Stadium

Goal: Spartak - Bakaev 17’

Spartak entered the lions’ den in Warsaw with everything on the line, knowing anything from knockouts to knocked out of Europe altogether was possible, so an early Zelimkhan Bakaev goal was the perfect tonic to settle the nerves. 

Legia hogged possession in the early stages, playing almost three times as many passes as Rui Vitoria’s side, but one of them catastrophically led to the opener. Bakaev gently pressured Maik Nawrocki to a ball over the top before the Polish defender played an inexplicably short pass to suddenly grant the Spartak winger a clean run at goal. One simple turn inside onto his favoured left foot, and a classic Bakaev curled finish into the far bottom corner gave Spartak a priceless lead.

Mikhail Ignatov almost doubled the visitors’ advantage 10 minutes before half time, but veteran keeper Artur Boruc got across well to palm the shot wide. In the last minute of first-half normal time, a simple free-kick routine saw an almost unmarked Samuel Gigot head across goal towards Maximiliano Caufriez for what would have been a certain goal, but a desperate last-ditch lunge cleared the danger.

The second half was slightly quieter for clear-cut chances, but when opportunities arose for rare breakaways, Bakaev was almost always the spark that drove Spartak forward. With 10 minutes remaining though, Legia came within a whisker of equalising from point-blank range. Josue glanced on a ball into the box towards the six-yard area where Rafael Lopes poked it goalwards - only to be denied by Aleksandr Selikhov’s outstretched foot.

Although the Polish side had dominated possession and passes throughout, they had rarely seen a clear sight of goal until that point, but within three minutes they had an even better chance. A counter-attack led by Georgi Melkadze broke down, leaving a stretched Spartak backpedalling for a swift cross into their penalty area. Substitute striker Tomas Pekhart planted a firm header out of Selikhov’s reach, but also against the crossbar.

As time rolled on towards the last minute of regular time, Selikhov was called into action twice in quick succession. First, he got down to block an awkward rasping shot, but could only spill it out in front towards the onrushing Mateusz Wieteska. He was just alert enough to bravely dive at the Legia player’s feet to smother the danger.

Selikhov had one last part to play - and it could not have been more dramatic or crucial. In the fifth minute of added time, Gigot made feint contact with Pekhart, and after three minutes of VAR deliberations, the penalty was given. Pekhart took the spot-kick himself low to his left, but Selikhov was able to parry it away, and ensure Spartak won their group.

Legia finish bottom on six points, while Spartak make the knockouts as group winners on 10 points.