In a tightly contested Moscow derby, Spartak emerged victorious over CSKA with a 1-0 scoreline to claim the Russian Cup Regional Path championship for the 2025-2026 season. The decisive match took place at the Lukoil Arena in Moscow, with Kirill Levnikov from Saint Petersburg serving as the head referee.
The game's only goal came early, as Spartak midfielder Ruslan Litvinov found the back of the net in the 10th minute. This early strike proved to be the difference, as Spartak's defense held firm throughout the remainder of the contest to secure the trophy.
A significant moment occurred in the second half when CSKA midfielder Ivan Oblyakov was initially shown a red card. However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, referee Levnikov reversed the decision, allowing Oblyakov to remain on the pitch. This incident highlighted the ongoing impact of technology in modern football officiating.
With this victory, Spartak adds another piece of silverware to their cabinet, while CSKA, the defending Russian Cup champions, will have to wait for another opportunity. CSKA won the previous edition of the tournament by defeating Rostov in a final that ended 0-0 after regular time, with CSKA winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-3.
The focus of Russian cup football now shifts to the final of the Russian Premier League Path. That match will feature Dynamo Moscow and Krasnodar, who played to a 0-0 draw in their first encounter. The winner of that final will be determined in the coming weeks.
Spartak's triumph in the Regional Path final underscores their strength in knockout competitions this season. The team demonstrated resilience and clinical finishing, capitalizing on their early opportunity and managing the game effectively against a strong rival.
For CSKA, the loss is a setback in their defense of the overall Russian Cup title. They will now regroup and focus on their league campaign and other competitions, aiming to bounce back from this narrow defeat in the capital city derby.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.