CSKA Moscow and Ural Yekaterinburg Draw 1-1 in the First Leg of the Russian Cup Final
In a tightly contested encounter staged in Moscow on April 19, CSKA Moscow and Ural Yekaterinburg finished level at 1-1 in the opening leg of the Russian Premier League Russian Cup final. The result leaves both sides with everything to play for in the return game and a shot at a coveted place in the Super Final of the competition.
Ural took the lead when Eric Bikfalvi found the net in the 71st minute. Officials initially questioned whether the goal should stand due to a potential foul committed by Daniel Miškic during an attacking phase. After a VAR review, the goal was allowed, and the match resumed with Ural in front.
CSKA responded late as Jesús Medina converted a penalty in the 89th minute, earning a draw for the red-blues and denying Ural a win in their opponents’ home yard. The late spot kick underscored the intensity of the clash and the fine margins typical of cup finals.
Live coverage of the match was provided as a broadcast text update, with ongoing commentary and key moments highlighted as the teams battled for advantage ahead of the second leg.
The second leg of the Russian Cup final, which will decide who advances to the Russian Cup Super Final, is scheduled for May 3 in Yekaterinburg. The away goals rule does not apply in this format, so a victory for either side in regular time, extra time, or in a possible shootout could determine the finalist for the next stage.
Beyond the final itself, attention has also turned to the broader tournament path. Akron from Togliatti emerged as the first finalist from the Road of Regions, defeating Moscow Spartak by 2 goals to 1. That result positioned Akron as a significant challenger in the competition’s regional pathway and added another layer of intrigue to the Russian Cup narrative this season.
Former Spartak Moscow president Andrey Chervichenko commented on the semi-final results, noting that the head coach Guillermo Abascal should not bear sole responsibility for Spartak’s exit from the Russian Cup in the Path of Regions. Chervichenko argued that the outcome reflected the broader competitive context rather than the actions of a single individual, emphasizing the depth and complexity of cup competition where many factors influence results.
The match in Moscow illustrated the volatility and drama inherent in cup football, where a late penalty can swing the balance of a two-legged tie. Both CSKA and Ural will be keen to translate their current form into an aggregate win in the second leg, ensuring a place in the stage that crowns Russia’s national cup champions. Analysts note that the home side will aim to capitalize on crowd support and control of midfield tempo, while Ural will look to harness counterattacking opportunities and set-piece threats to protect their advantage.
As the teams prepare for the May 3 return, supporters and pundits alike will be watching closely to see which club can demonstrate composure under pressure and execute pivotal moments with precision. The Russian Cup continues to reveal surprises, with tactical adjustments and player performances likely to play decisive roles in the outcome of the final matchup.
In sum, the first leg produced a fair reflection of the contest’s high stakes: a balanced scoreline, controversial moments reviewed by VAR, and a late equalizer that preserves a dramatic path to the prize for both clubs. The stage is set for a climactic conclusion in Yekaterinburg, where the race to lift the Russian Cup will reach its final act.