In a Russian Premier League match staged at the White Bars Arena Stadium, Rubin Kazan defeated Voronezh Torch 2-1 to conclude the 26th round with three crucial points. Torch struck first, with Vladimir Ilyin pouncing in the 22nd minute to give the visitors the lead. Rubin rallied after the break, with Ruslan Bezrukov triggering the equalizer in the 56th minute and then delivering the decisive blow in the 89th minute, sealing the come-from-behind win for the home side.
The game also featured notable incidents in the opening period. A Fakel defender sustained a serious leg injury, while Voronezh midfielder Nikita Motzpan earned a red card late in the first half. The match was officiated by referee Roman Safyan, who kept the contest disciplined throughout and ensured a competitive tempo until the final whistle.
Standing-wise, Rubin Kazan sit seventh in the standings with 39 points, while Torch occupy 16th place with 15 points. Looking ahead, Rubin will travel to meet Krasnodar, the league leaders, with a 19:30 start time in Moscow on May 3. Torch are set to host Spartak Moscow on May 4, with kickoff at 14:00 Moscow time. The result adds momentum to Rubin’s campaign and tightens the mid-table narrative as the season progresses.
Earlier in the RPL cycle, other fixtures included Khimki taking part in a league clash, underscoring the ongoing drama across the table. As teams jostle for European qualification spots and to avoid relegation, every point from matches like this one matters in the broader race for positioning and pride in Russian football.
For Rubin Kazan, the victory underscored a shift in momentum, supported by a sharper second-half approach and a decisive late burst that delivered a deserved win despite an early setback. Torch, meanwhile, will regroup and aim to translate more of their chances into points as the calendar moves forward. The match left spectators with a sense that the league picture could shift quickly in the coming rounds, with every squad still capable of influencing the final standings as the season approaches its critical phase.