Smolov and Tyukavin fire Dynamo level with Zenit at the top

Dynamo Moscow 2-0 Akhmat Grozny
Friday 15 April, VTB Arena

Goals: Dynamo - Smolov 58’, Tyukavin 79’
Man of the Match: Anton Shunin (Dynamo)

Just when Akhmat were making life difficult for Dynamo and approaching an hour gone with the scores still goalless, a lightning bolt struck to put the Muscovites in front. 

Akhmat were heavily pressured into conceding possession from a throw-in deep in their own half, and after a brutally precise few seconds of one and two-touch interplay involving Fedor Smolov, Arsen Zakharyan, Daniil Fomin and finally Denis Makarov, Smolov as on hand to collect the through-ball and smash a blistering rocket into the net.

The momentum really turned in the hosts’ favour from that point on. Makarov almost set up a second after sensational dance between four or five challenges in a tight space before slipping the ball across to Zakharyan the blaze over.

Igor Konovalov squeezed a low shot inches wide of Anton Shunin’s left hand post with the Dynamo keeper scrambling, but that was as close as it got for Akhmat.

Smolov’s substitute sealed the win with just over 10 minutes left, and in some style. After outmuscling Marat Bystrov to collect a long Shunin clearance and keep his balance under pressure, Konstantin Tyukavin rifled an unstoppable effort through Vitaly Gudiev’s legs.

The teenager probably should have added a third goal for Dynamo with three minutes left, but his flying volley couldn’t quite divert Daniil Lesovoy’s well-worked cross when completely free six yards out.

Dynamo remain second but draw level with Zenit on 52 points, while Akhmat stay eighth on 32 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 23 April - Sochi vs Akhmat; Sunday 24 April - CSKA vs Dynamo