Krasnodar 0-1 Dynamo Moscow
Sunday 3 April, Krasnodar Stadium

Goal: Dynamo - Fomin 45+6’
Man of the Match: Fabian Balbuena (Dynamo)

Although Dynamo had the better of the opening half, taking nine shots to Krasnodar’s three, it was two former Krasnodar players who combined to create the breakthrough six minutes into first-half added time.

Fedor Smolov tried to skip past Aleksandr Chernikov just inside the area before the latter dragged his shirt. A free-kick was initially awarded, until a VAR review advised referee Aleksey Sukhoi that contact had begun inside the box and a penalty was given instead. Up stepped Daniil Fomin to smash an ambitious penalty into the top corner for his ninth goal of the season.

Only a stunning Matvey Safonov fingertip save had denied Arsen Zakharyan from taking the lead midway through the first half as the Krasnodar keeper did just enough at full stretch to divert the low shot onto the post.

Safonov was once again the saviour for Krasnodar midway through the second half as he spread his frame brilliantly to block Denis Makarov, after the Dynamo winger had been sent clear through by some slick interplay between Sebastian Szymanski and Smolov. 

Another fine save denied Makarov in the last 10 minutes and kept the hosts in contention, but despite controlling more of the possession after the break, Krasnodar still couldn’t find a way through. 

Nigerian forward Jonathan Okoronkwo made his debut after scoring two goals in four FNL games for the second side, and was involved in a last-gasp moment of drama. His clever pass was touched on by Aleks Matsukatov into the path of Aleksey Ionov, who went to ground in the box only to be booked for simulation. That was the last act in the game, and boosted Dynamo to within two points of leaders Zenit.

Krasnodar stay sixth on 36 points, while Dynamo remain second on 46 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 9 April - Nizhny Novgorod vs Dynamo Moscow; Rubin vs Krasnodar