CSKA Moscow secured a 2:1 victory over Zenit at Gazprom Arena on Saturday, moving them closer to the top of the Premier League table. The match, played in Regular Season round 7, saw the visitors take control despite Zenit's overwhelming possession advantage. Ivan Oblyakov netted twice, including a penalty just before half-time, while Aleksandr Sobolev pulled one back for the hosts late on.
Zenit dominated possession at 69 per cent but struggled to convert their chances. The turning point came in stoppage time before the break when a VAR decision awarded a penalty for a challenge on Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov. Oblyakov stepped up and converted in the 45+8 minute to give CSKA the lead. It was a moment that shifted the momentum, and by then the visitors had already shown they could defend their position.
The second half saw Zenit push for an equaliser, earning ten corners compared to CSKA's two. They created one big chance and registered 1.99 expected goals, but the visitors' goalkeeper made six crucial saves. Sobolev finally broke through in the 84th minute, but Oblyakov sealed the result eight minutes later with his second goal of the match. The wheels came off for Zenit as they chased the game.
Statistically, the match told a familiar story. Zenit completed 641 passes with 577 successful, while CSKA managed 284 total with 237 accurate. The hosts attempted 37 crosses and won 11 aerial duels, yet could only find the net once. CSKA, with just 1.75 expected goals, were clinical with their five shots on target.
The result leaves CSKA in second place with 15 points from seven games, unbeaten so far this season. Zenit remain fifth on 12 points after four wins and three defeats. The visitors had lost their previous outing 2:0 away at Rostov, but this performance suggests they are building something meaningful.
