Former CSKA Moscow player Alexander Grishin stated that Alexander Golovin now stands two steps ahead of every other player in the Russian national team. He described Golovin as a leader who has demonstrated his quality across his time with Monaco, where he earned a trusted role in the first team for several seasons. It comes as no surprise that Golovin wore the armband for the national team and helped control the flow of the game in the clash against Serbia, according to Grishin.
Golovin’s superiority on the field was evident last season as he consistently dictated tempo and decision making from midfield, earning widespread recognition for his vision, passing range, and ability to unlock compact defenses. Grishin pointed to Monaco as proof that Golovin can perform at a high level consistently, and this form translated into his leadership for the national team during important qualifiers and friendlies alike. The veteran observer emphasized that Golovin possesses a natural authority on the pitch that translates into better coordination for his teammates and a clearer strategic plan for the squad, backed up by performances that earned him early captaincy duties and central involvement in orchestrating attacks.
The match took place at the VTB Arena in Moscow and finished with a convincing 4-0 victory for Russia. The scoring sequence saw Anton Miranchuk open the tally, followed by Maxim Osipenko and Alexey Miranchuk converting a penalty to extend the lead. In the 88th minute, Arsen Zakharyan added another strike against the Serbian goal, but the officials ruled it offside due to an earlier infringement recognized by Ivan Sergeev. Yet, in stoppage time, Sergeev himself found the back of the net, sealing the win for the home side and leaving the Serbian defense overwhelmed by Russia’s attacking pressure. The referee’s decision on the late goal was widely discussed, illustrating how margins in top matches can hinge on millisecond judgments and offside lines that are rarely evident to casual spectators.
The Serbian side entered the game a man down from the 21st minute after CSKA Moscow defender Milan Gajic was dismissed for a foul, reducing their options and forcing a shift in their defensive approach. The early red card limited Serbia’s ability to press Russia high up the pitch and created additional space for Russia to exploit through quick transitions and accurate finishing. This numerical disadvantage compounded Serbia’s difficulty in building sustained attacking sequences against a well-organized home team that pressed aggressively and maintained compact lines through much of the match. The dynamic between a disciplined Russian defense and an assertive but hampered Serbian offense was a key factor in the final result, underscoring the hosts’ readiness to convert opportunities when they presented themselves.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that a goalkeeper previously associated with the Russian national team had left the camp, signaling a shift in the squad’s depth chart and the ongoing competition for the number one jersey. Such changes are part of the broader cycle of national team preparation as coaches assess and rotate personnel to strengthen the roster ahead of major fixtures and qualification campaigns. The transition period often brings renewed focus on the qualities required in a modern goalkeeper and the balance needed to support a cohesive back line while pursuing ambitious tactical aims on the field.