Lokomotiv Moscow clinched a 3-1 victory over Rostov in a Russian Cup RPL Path group stage clash held in Moscow. The atmosphere at the stadium crackled with energy as the home side, wearing their traditional red-green kit, asserted control from the opening whistle and translated that early pressure into a commanding lead that would be difficult for Rostov to overturn. The result not only reflected Lokomotiv’s tactical discipline but also showcased the team’s attacking efficiency as the first half unfolded with purposeful moves and precise execution.
The scoring sequence began when Timur Suleymanov found the back of the net, his strike setting the tone and lifting the home supporters. Soon after, Anton Miranchuk added to Lokomotiv’s advantage with a composed finish, sending a message to Rostov that the hosts were intent on sealing the result before the break. The team’s rhythm was marked by intelligent movement, quick combinations, and a willingness to press high, which yielded dividends as Rostov struggled to stem the mounting pressure. The first 45 minutes concluded with Lokomotiv in a comfortable position and the scoreboard reflecting their early dominance.
Shortly after the restart, Maxim Glushenkov extended the lead further, delivering a punch just after the hour mark that effectively sealed the match in Lokomotiv’s favor. The goal illustrated the visitors’ fragility when confronted with a concerted Lokomotiv press and rapid transitions, a combination that left Rostov chasing the game for long stretches. Despite a late effort to peg one back, Rostov’s defense remained stretched, and Lokomotiv’s shape held firm as the clock ticked down toward the final whistle.
In the Russian Cup Group B standings, Lokomotiv sits in fifth place with ten points, a testament to the consistency they’ve shown throughout the stage. Ekaterinburg Ural occupies second place with eight points, and the head-to-head or goal-difference tiebreakers place Rostov below Ural on additional indicators. Rubin Kazan remains the bottom team in the group with four points, their campaign hampered by a run of difficult fixtures and some inconsistent results that closed the door on potential advancement. This snapshot underscores how tight and competitive Group B has been, with every point carrying tangible significance as teams jostle for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Looking ahead, Lokomotiv’s next test will be a home fixture against Rubin, scheduled for November 1. The expectation is for Lokomotiv to maintain momentum through a match that offers a chance to tighten their grip on the group and build confidence ahead of the decisive phase. Rostov, meanwhile, will travel to face Ural on November 2, a fixture that presents a real opportunity to extract a result away from home and recalibrate ahead of the remaining group matches. The results and fixture list in this phase of the tournament continue to shape the tense race for progression in the Russian Cup, where every goal and point can shift the balance between qualification and elimination.
The current holder of the cup is CSKA Moscow. In the dramatic final, Vladimir Fedotov’s team prevailed over Krasnodar following a tense penalty shootout that underscored the initiative and resilience of CSKA throughout the campaign. Earlier rounds saw Zenit prevail against Baltika in a separate Cup encounter, highlighting the depth and contrast within Russian football as the competition moves through its early stages toward the knockout rounds and the pursuit of national glory.