In a tense Moscow derby, Spartak Moscow emerged victorious in the final of the regional path of the Fonbet Russian Cup for the 2025/2026 season. The red-and-white side defeated their arch-rivals CSKA with a single goal, clinching the prestigious trophy at their home ground, the Lukoil Arena.
The match was decided early when Spartak midfielder Ruslan Litvinov found the back of the net in the 10th minute. His goal proved to be the only one of the contest, as Spartak's defense held firm for the remaining 80 minutes to secure the cup triumph.
A significant moment occurred in the second half when referee Kirill Levnikov initially showed a red card to CSKA midfielder Ivan Oblyakov in the 68th minute. However, after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, the official reversed his decision and rescinded the red card, allowing Oblyakov to remain on the pitch.
The victory marks a successful campaign for Spartak in the regional path of the Russian Cup. Meanwhile, the final of the RPL path will feature a different Moscow club, as Dynamo Moscow prepares to face Krasnodar. Their first leg encounter ended in a goalless 0-0 draw, setting up an intriguing second leg.
From a betting perspective, Spartak entered the final as clear favorites. Pre-match odds for a Spartak victory were set at 1.75, meaning a 1000 ruble wager would have returned 1750 rubles. A CSKA win was considered less likely at odds of 4.73, while a draw after 90 minutes was priced at 3.85.
The market also anticipated a low-scoring affair. The odds for under 2.5 total goals were 1.85, and for 'both teams to score - no' stood at 1.95. The most lucrative outcome for bettors was the exact score of 1-0 in Spartak's favor, which carried attractive odds of 7.00.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.