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This weekend saw the usual matches of the 21st round of the Russian "Premier" League, where the country's champion "Lokomotiv" managed to incredibly come back after a three-goal deficit in a dramatic and eventful match. One of the matches of this round took place on August 10 in Moscow, where "Torpedo" lost 0-2 to "CSKA".
On Saturday, the first to start the matches were the footballers of Moscow's "Spartak" and Vladikaukaz's "Alania". By the end of the first half, the score was 3-0 in favor of "Spartak". In the second half, a conflict between the players of both teams erupted, but this did not change the outcome of the match. "Spartak" players won 5-1.
In Yaroslavl, local "Shinnik" met with the league debutant Tomsk "Tom". It is worth noting that from the first minutes of the match, Lithuanian national team defender A. Skerla appeared in the lineup of "Tom," while A. Gedgaudas, although included in the team, did not appear on the field. Throughout the match, "Shinnik" dominated, but they failed to prove their superiority and had to settle for a draw and one point earned.
The new club of R. Dziaukstas, Ramenskoye "Saturn," ended a series of five consecutive matches without a win by defeating Grozny's "Terek". In this match, "Saturn" players had to equalize twice against "Terek," but not only did they manage to equalize, they also won with a score of 3-2.
In Moscow on Saturday, two local teams met – "Moskva" and "Dynamo". In the first half, "Moskva" players dominated, scoring two goals, and it seemed that the hosts had already won. However, the "Dynamo" coach did not want to accept defeat. Substituting players during halftime, I. Vortman activated his players. In the second half, "Moskva" only settled for rare counterattacks, but "Dynamo" managed to score only one goal and lost 2-1.
The last Saturday match took place in Rostov, where the local "Rostov" met with Kazan's "Rubin". There was a fierce battle during the match, with players from both teams making their mark, but the guests had more luck. Latvian national team captain V. Astafyev scored the winning goal in the 13th minute, securing victory for the "Rubin" team.
On Sunday, there were two matches of the 21st round. In the first match, Perm's "Amkar" faced the current Russian champions Moscow's "Lokomotiv," who recently lost their attacking leader D. Sychev forever. The incredible match was marked by a flurry of goals, eventful moments, and complaints towards the main referee. "Lokomotiv" started the match actively, but it was the "Amkar" players who scored first. In the 19th minute, "Amkar" newcomer M. Kushev broke into the center and scored the first goal.
In the 43rd minute, a questionable penalty was awarded to "Lokomotiv," and despite Moscow players emotionally protesting the decision, the referee did not change his mind, and "Amkar" player V. Leonchenko converted the penalty. At the end of the first half, "Lokomotiv" unsuccessfully tried to set up an offside trap and let in a third goal by the hosts' forward M. Kushev, seemingly burying the hopes of the visitors - after the first half, it seemed to be the second consecutive shameful defeat for the Russian champions.
However, the scenario changed after the break. "Lokomotiv" players began to attack more and dominate the field. This paid off, as in the 52nd minute, a penalty was awarded to "Amkar" for handball in the penalty area, which was perfectly converted by one of Russia's biggest talents, D. Bilyaledinov.
Six minutes later, another penalty was awarded to "Amkar," which was again converted by D. Bilyaledinov. In the middle of the second half, "Amkar" equalized the game and once again threatened the "Lokomotiv" goal, but in the 75th minute, they let in a third goal and at that time "Amkar" forward S. Volkov was sent off the pitch. It seemed that the match would end in a draw, but with a few minutes left until the end, "Lokomotiv" players did not want to accept that and scored a fourth goal during extra time, seemingly earning three points in a lost match and firmly securing the top spot in the standings.
The last round match took place in St. Petersburg, where two UEFA Cup participants – "Zenit" and Samara's "Krylya Sovetov" – met. "Zenit" started the match aggressively and was already leading by two goals by the end of the first half, finishing the job in the second half and winning 4-1.
