Rudenko double sparks first-ever Khimki win over CSKA in see-saw classic

Khimki 4-2 CSKA Moscow
Saturday 9 April, Arena Khimki

Goals: Khimki - Sadygov 9’, Rudenko 54’, 86’, Sabovic 80’; CSKA - Ushakov 32’, Yazici (pen) 44’
Man of the Match: Aleksandr Rudenko (Khimki)

Khimki’s startling form continued right from the off as they carved through the CSKA defence with surprising ease to take a shock lead, eventually thrashing the visitors for their ever win against CSKA.

Ilya Kukharchuk was left in acres of space out wide as a patient counter-attack developed, and with Mario Fernandes scrambling to cover, the Khimki winger had enough time to pick out Ilya Sadygov racing in ahead of Jaka Bijol to smash a first-time effort past Igor Akinfeev.

The Armymen struck back just after the half-hour mark through youngster Egor Ushakov, who had only made his first-team debut last weekend. The 19-year-old showed impressive composure and strength on the ball to hold off the attentions of Brian Idowu and finish well from an angle past Ilya Lantratov.

On the stroke of half time CSKA went in front with the now seemingly obligatory strike from Yusuf Yazici. Jesus Medina was felled in the area, and after over five minutes of deliberations and a VAR review, the penalty was awarded and Yazici confidently stroked in his eight goal in six games.

Kukharchuk was once again the key dangerman for Khimki. Less than 10 minutes after the break, he was left in plenty of space as CSKA’s midfields were pushed forward, and although he had to check back inside, he threaded a simple ball through to Aleksandr Rudenko to cheekily nutmeg Akinfeev and draw the hosts level.

The game was turned on its head in the last 10 minutes with yet more simple patience from Khimki. Brian Idowu laid back the ball to Besard Sabovic to dummy inside his marker and place a beauty from distance, before Rudenko raced well clear through and nutmegged Akinfeev again for a scarcely believable fourth goal.

Khimki remain go 13th on 24 points, while CSKA stay third on 43 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 16 April - Ufa vs CSKA; Sunday 17 April - Nizhny Novgorod vs Khimki