Ugalde’s Four-Goal Display Lifts Spartak Past Lokomotiv in a 5-2 Thriller
Spartak Moscow’s head coach Dejan Stankovic credited the entire squad after Costa Rican forward Manfred Ugalde produced four goals in a single league match, steering the team to a decisive 5-2 victory over Lokomotiv in the 16th round of the Russian Premier League. The win comes during a demanding stretch of the season, underscoring the depth and resilience of a group that is steadily building momentum.
Stankovic spoke of the collective effort, observing that players push themselves hard and rarely complain, always delivering their best. He added that dedication can lift an individual performance and that today the lift belonged to Ugalde. He noted the long journey back from a taxing trip made the display even more meaningful, and he stressed that the credit belonged to everyone in the dressing room. The coach emphasized that the victory reflected pride in a squad that has shown both resolve and unity as it pursues success.
The match, held at the Lukoil Arena, finished 5-2 with Ugalde’s first-half hat-trick in the 10th, 21st and 34th minutes setting the tone. After the break, Sergei Pinyaev found the net in the 55th minute while Zherzino Nyamsi replied for Lokomotiv in the 63rd. Ugalde added a fourth in the 73rd, a milestone described as Spartak’s first league goal in the Russian Premier League era for the club in more than three decades, and Ezequiel Barco completed the scoring with a finish in the 80th minute.
A live text broadcast tracked the duel as it unfolded, offering updates and analysis for readers following the action.
Following the victory, Spartak rose to fourth place with 31 points from 16 matches, edging ahead of Dynamo Moscow. Lokomotiv remained third on 34 points, illustrating how the result reshaped the mid-table battle as the schedule grew busier.
A former Spartak player, now associated with one of the club’s partners, was praised by colleagues for his role and influence within the broader club ecosystem.