Dynamo Moscow secured a 3-1 victory over Makhachkala in the third round of the Premier League's regular season, played on Saturday evening at the home ground. The result leaves Dynamo on 13 points, one ahead of their opponents who sit sixth with 12.
The visitors controlled possession early but Dynamo grew into the game. Rubens picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute, followed by D. Fomin and A. Alarcon before half-time. Dynamo's chances came late — Marinkin scored in the 77th minute, Skopintsev added a second three minutes later, and Agalarov made it 3-1 in the 81st. Miranchuk's strike in the 90th minute and three seconds of injury time sealed the win.
Substitutions shaped the second half. Arthur Gomes came on for Dynamo in the 61st minute, while Lesovoy and Miro appeared for the visitors. Fomin returned for Dynamo in the 75th minute, Mrezigue for Makhachkala two minutes later, and Tyukavin completed the changes in the 89th.
The statistics tell an interesting story. Dynamo dominated possession with 67 per cent but registered only 0.86 expected goals despite six shots on target. Makhachkala created more with 1.27 expected goals from just two efforts on target. By then, the visitors had made 28 clearances compared to Dynamo's 15.
This result keeps Dynamo in third place, maintaining their one-point gap over Makhachkala. The hosts have now won four of seven games, while the visitors have taken four victories but lost three without a single draw. Things came to a head on Saturday, and Dynamo held on grimly.