The incident at the 24th round of the Russian Premier League involved Krasnodar midfielder Kadi Borges and Spartak Moscow captain Georgy Jikia. Borges sustained a concussion along with multiple facial bone fractures following a harsh challenge in a physical duel that drew attention across the league. The medical team quickly evaluated the situation and the footballer received immediate care on the pitch. Subsequent assessments confirmed a closed craniocerebral injury, a concussion, and several facial injuries that required careful monitoring and treatment.
Official medical findings described a closed fracture of the outer lower wall of the orbit with displacement, the posterior wall of the right maxillary sinus, the right zygomatic arch, and a right-sided maxillary hemosinus. These injuries point to a forceful impact during the collision, which occurred in the 47th minute of the match when Jikia unintentionally struck Borges in the temple. Borges collapsed to the grass, and the seriousness of the situation prompted immediate intervention from the team medical staff.
Jikia offered first aid on the field, and the medical crew from Krasnodar promptly arrived to provide advanced care. The player was stabilized on site, and after a period of observation and treatment, Borges was transported from the field by an electric vehicle to continue medical evaluation off the pitch, ensuring prompt access to hospital facilities if needed. The response reflected the standards of on-field trauma management that clubs and leagues prioritize in such scenarios, with safety and rapid assessment taking precedence over all else.
In the end, Spartak edged Krasnodar with a dramatic 4 to 3 victory. The win helped Spartak maintain their position near the top of the standings as the season progressed, while Krasnodar faced a hard setback in their campaign. The final result left Spartak in a strong position at the table with 48 points and a continued pursuit of the league leadership under the strategic guidance of head coach Guillermo Abascal. The outcome also kept the team within sight of their rivals as the campaign moved forward toward the closing rounds.
Following the match, Evgeny Melezhikov, the former general manager of Spartak Moscow, spoke to the media amid rumors about a possible resignation threat to head coach Guillermo Abascal. Melezhikov addressed concerns about leadership continuity and the club’s future direction, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on performance and team development. His remarks underscored the intense scrutiny surrounding coaching roles at the club during a challenging stretch of fixtures, while fans and analysts watched closely to gauge whether strategic changes would follow the high-profile match.