Spartak Moscow has etched its name into the history books once again, securing a place in the Russian Cup final for the seventh time. The red-and-white squad achieved this milestone by defeating their city rivals, CSKA, with a narrow 1-0 victory in the final match of the Fonbet Russian Cup's Path of Regions for the 2025/2026 season.
The decisive encounter took place at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow, where Spartak managed to hold on to their slim lead against the defending champions. This victory adds another chapter to Spartak's storied history in the competition, a history that includes six previous final appearances spanning from the mid-1990s to the early 2020s.
Looking back at their journey to this final, Spartak demonstrated resilience in the previous round. They overcame a tough challenge from Zenit Saint Petersburg, advancing after a dramatic penalty shootout. The match ended 0-0 in regular time, but Spartak held their nerve to win the shootout 7-6.
CSKA, the defending champions, also had a formidable path to the final. In their semifinal, the army club showcased their attacking prowess by defeating Krylya Sovetov with a convincing 5-2 scoreline. This set the stage for a highly anticipated Moscow derby in the final.
The significance of this final appearance is underscored by Spartak's historical record in the Russian Cup. Their previous six finals saw them lift the trophy four times, while suffering defeat on two occasions. This latest appearance gives them a chance to add a fifth title to their collection.
For CSKA, the loss marks the end of their reign as cup holders. They entered the tournament as the defending champions, having secured the trophy in the previous edition by defeating Rostov in a final that also required penalties after a 0-0 draw. CSKA won that shootout 4-3.
The match itself was a tightly contested affair, as the 1-0 scoreline suggests. Spartak's defense managed to contain CSKA's attack, which had been so potent in their semifinal victory. The single goal proved to be enough to send the Spartak faithful into celebration and book their team's place in the final.
This result sets up an intriguing final chapter for the Fonbet Russian Cup. Spartak will now prepare for the ultimate showdown, aiming to convert this final appearance into a championship victory. Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.