Dynamo Moscow avenged their Russian Cup defeat to Krasnodar and claimed a measure of revenge for the 2023/2024 league title that slipped away! In the 29th round of the Russian Premier League, the White-Blues staged a comeback victory over the league leaders, handing Zenit a golden opportunity. Now, Sergei Semak’s team only needs a draw against Rostov to bring the trophy back from Krasnodar to Saint Petersburg.
Dynamo Moscow vs Krasnodar
May 11, 2026 | 20:00 MSK
Final Score: 2-1
Scorers: Diego Costa (0-1, 32′), Konstantin Tyukavin (1-1, 48′), Ivan Sergeev (2-1, 90+3′)
Both coaches made a couple of changes from the previous cup meeting. For Dynamo, Marinkin and Ngamaleu replaced Fomin and Gladyshev. Krasnodar, missing the suspended Gonzalez and Bosegli, started Paltsev and Chernikov.
The defending champions started like champions, creating a scoring chance within three minutes when Lunyov missed the ball on a corner kick, allowing Krasnodar to take the first shot of the match. Krasnodar’s pressing became a major problem for Gusyov’s team. The Muscovites struggled to escape pressure, losing possession and duels repeatedly. It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Dynamo managed a shot on goal (Tyukavin from distance, harmless), and on 17 minutes they first touched the ball in the opponent’s box (again Tyukavin).
Gusyov’s side preferred a mid-block 4-4-2 defense, unlike Krasnodar. But in the middle of the first half, Dynamo twice fell apart in transition, and Krasnodar nearly scored. On one occasion, Spertsyan couldn’t get a shot off, and in a 2-on-1 break, the league’s top assist provider couldn’t deliver a precise pass to Cordoba – Marichal saved Dynamo.
Nevertheless, before halftime, Spertsyan recorded his 16th league assist, matching the Russian records of Dmitry Loskov, Hulk, and Maxim Glushenkov. Krasnodar’s set-piece threat was lethal again! A clever free kick by Musayev’s side. Spertsyan delivered while several teammates were caught offside, but the captain knew what he was doing: Diego Costa emerged from deep and headed powerfully home. The scoreline after 45 minutes reflected the game.
Diego Costa (born 1999)
Early in the second half, Krasnodar nearly struck again with another unconventional set piece. While everyone expected a cross, Spertsyan rolled the ball to Batsi, who made a free run into the box. The winger was just late, and the chance was lost. But Dynamo replied immediately with a goal! And the scorers were the two anti-heroes of the cup penalty shootout: Caceres and Tyukavin. The defender whipped in a cross from under Krivtsov, and the forward beat Tormena to poke the ball into the net. A key pre-assist from Bitello, who started the attack with a brilliant pass from midfield to the right, also deserves mention.
After that, Gusyev surprised with a double substitution: Bitello and Arthur Gomez off for Miranchuk and Babayev. Later, he even replaced Tyukavin. The game briefly calmed before exploding. Krasnodar kept creating chances. Fresh Bosegli missed a one-on-one (Lunyov saved), and Krivtsov scored from a clear offside. Then Cordoba, having an off game on his 33rd birthday, produced a wonderful chip for Lenini, but the latter shot straight at Lunyov from seven meters.
With 10 minutes left, Musayev also made a surprising substitution: replacing a tired Spertsyan with goal-scoring defender Jubal. While the Brazilian was still adjusting, Dynamo earned a set piece near the opponent’s goal and somehow conceded