CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow Split Points in a 1-1 RPL Tie at VEB Arena
The 24th round of the Russian Premier League brought CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow to a shared point at the VEB Arena in the capital. The match finished with a 1-1 scoreline, a result that reflected a balanced duel between two storied clubs contending for position in the table. The game was officiated by a team of referees led by Sergey Karasev, whose decisions shaped several critical moments across the ninety minutes.
The opening goal came in the 22nd minute when Anton Zabalotny, a striker for CSKA, converted a well-worked attack to put the home side ahead. The lead seemed to settle CSKA momentarily, energizing the crowd and testing Lokomotiv to respond with urgency. As the half progressed, Lokomotiv pressed to level the score, pushing forward with rhythm and intent but finding CSKA’s defense steadfast and organized as the whistle approached for the break.
Equally important, the visitors found a late breakthrough in the 87th minute when Wilson Isidor struck to equalize. His finish brought Lokomotiv back into contention, and the late balance left both teams with reason to reflect on what could have swung in their favor in added time. The equalizer underscored the tight nature of the clash, with neither side able to claim a decisive advantage over the other during the closing stages.
According to live coverage and match summaries, CSKA remains positioned fourth in the Russian Championship standings with 45 points, while Lokomotiv sits in tenth with 29 points. Zenit Saint Petersburg continues to lead the competition with 58 points, illustrating how closely the race for European spots and league leadership is developing as the season progresses. The result also highlights the competitive depth within Russia’s top tier, where recent fixtures have seen several teams trading results in pursuit of momentum heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
Looking ahead, CSKA is scheduled to travel away from home on April 29 for a clash with Akhmat Grozny, a test of consistency on the road for a team aiming to consolidate its position in the standings. Lokomotiv, meanwhile, will host Khimki at home on April 30, seeking a positive response at their base to climb the table and regain some of the momentum they demonstrated earlier in the campaign. These fixtures will be watched closely by supporters who are keen to assess how each side responds to the draw and whether they can convert it into a several-match run of positive results.
In a separate note connected to football culture in Russia, Konstantin Tszyu, the renowned former world boxing champion, publicly expressed admiration for Artem Dzyuba, Lokomotiv’s striker. Tszyu described Dzyuba as his favorite football player, a nod that underscores the cross-sport respect that often accompanies high-profile athletes when they share a passion for football in addition to their primary disciplines. This intersection of boxing and football highlights the broader appeal of the sport in the region and the way athletes from different arenas view the stars who light up the pitch.