Volzhani Kostroma secured a narrow 2:3 victory over Makhachkala in the Russian Cup on Wednesday evening. The away side moved into second place on six points, while the hosts remain rooted to fourth with just a single point from three matches. It was a result that extended Kostroma's winning start to the competition.
Makhachkala had been searching for their first victory all season, having lost their previous two encounters. They came into this fixture with a mixed record — a 3:2 win earlier in the campaign against Динская-РЦСП, but more recently falling 0:3 to Тюмень on Tuesday. To be fair, the home side had shown they could compete, even if results had not gone their way.
Kostroma arrived with momentum, having beaten Текстильщик 3:0 in their last outing. Their form had been inconsistent at times — a 0:3 defeat to Локомотив Изумруд earlier in the season — but they had found a rhythm recently. They had not travelled to make up the numbers, and the performance reflected that intention.
The final score tells only part of the story. Makhachkala had pulled one back after going behind, but Kostroma's experience showed through in the decisive moments. By then, the visitors had already established their control. The home side worked hard but could not find the breakthrough they needed.
The standings now give Kostroma a clear advantage in the group. They sit two points clear of the teams below them, with a game in hand on several opponents. Makhachkala face a difficult path to recovery — three defeats in a row means confidence will need rebuilding.
What matters most is what this means going forward. Kostroma are in a position to push for a top-two finish, while Makhachkala must respond quickly to avoid falling further behind. The Cup remains open, but the visitors have taken a step toward securing their place.