Zvezda Saint Petersburg lost 1-2 to Luki-Energy in the second round of the Cup's Regions Path on 12 August 2026. The away side took the lead through D. Dibirgadzhiev before N. Koldunov's double from the spot secured the win.
By then, the match had already turned. V. Lunev gave Zvezda an early advantage in the twenty-first minute, and to be fair, that kind of start makes you think the home side would hold on. But Dibirgadzhiev equalised five minutes later, and here's the thing — penalties came thick and fast after that.
Koldunov converted a penalty in the thirty-first minute, then added another in the thirty-second, alongside Luki-Energy's own goal in the same minute. The home side had looked comfortable until the away end started finding a way through, and by then it was too late.
Zvezda have been inconsistent of late. They beat Cherepovets 2-1 last August and saw off RVChallenger 4-1, but a 4-1 defeat to Kristall and a 1-0 loss to Leningradets suggest they're struggling to find rhythm. Luki-Energy's record is no picture of stability either — they lost 2-0 to Leningradets and 1-0 to Vitebsk in their last two outings.
The result means Luki-Energy progress in the tournament. Zvezda's campaign comes to an end, and the goal difference adds nothing to their standing. The away side held on grimly after Koldunov's second penalty, and that was enough.