However, things went different on the pitch. After the evenly-played first half, the Muscovites took control of the game in the second. Rarely appearing this season, Austrian international Martin Stranzl opened the scoring after a well-played corner. Rubin could have equalized a few minutes after, but missed their opportunity. Meanwhile the red-and-whites were more thrifty with their chances, as the Brazilian duo Alex and Welliton made a one-two combination, with the latter scoring after a rendezvous with the Kazan keeper.

Welliton could have netted another, but missed a hundred percent opportunity a few minutes before the final whistle. Spartak didn’t take it hard, though, as they secured a convincing 2-0 lead in this important match-up.

Zenit 4-2 Khimki

Elswhere, Zenit were 4-2 winners at home to Khimki.

Konstantin Zyryanov opened the score just eight minutes in. 20 minutes later, Igor Semshov slot home his first goal of the season, making it 2-0.

However, just before halftime, Khimki pulled one back off a free kick.

17 minutes into the second half, Fatih Tekke beat two defenders on his way to bringing back the two-goal gap for the hosts.

But Khimki didn't give up and in the 82nd minute substitute Aleksander Antipenko made it 3-2 after another free kick.

And two minutes from time Zyryanov put Pavel Pogrebnyak clear on goal, and he put Khimki away.

Dynamo 0-1 Krylya Sovetov

Meanwhile, Dynamo lost 1-0 at home to Krylya Sovetov. Czech Jan Koller netted the only goal there.

Terek 1-1 Saturn

In the only remaining game, Chechen’s Terek tied at 1-1 with Saturn.