Zenit was better than the opponent for 60 minutes of the match, but Dynamo powerfully improved in the end, and the referee was in the spotlight due to a missed penalty against the hosts.

A beautiful evening in the northern capital, which ended with the departure of the club from St. Petersburg from the Russian Cup.

Amazing Lineups

Zenit appeared in an unexpected composition for the Fonbet Cup of Russia game with Dynamo. There was no RPL top scorer Malcolm, who was disqualified for a fight with Spartak, in the application. For the same reason, the main defender of St. Petersburg Rodrigao and defensive midfielder Vilmar Barrios missed the game. The latter, in fairness, in any case, could not take part in the match due to injury. And it was a huge problem for Sergei Semak, because a lot in the game of Zenit depends on Barrios.

Forward Ivan Sergeev is still injured, so there is simply no alternative to Mateo Cassierra now. But Zelimkhan Bakaev got his chance, who so far sits more in the reserve than plays.

But the main surprise from Zenit was the choice of the goalkeeper. Alexander Vasyutin, a 28-year-old pupil of the local Smena, played at the gate, who went through the youth team of the current champion of Russia, but played only two matches in his career for the adult team. The rest of the time he rode around the Scandinavian countries and delighted fans in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Nevertheless, Semak entrusted him with a place at the base. Dynamo also had a non-main goalkeeper at the gate. Anton Shunin did not fly to St. Petersburg, and Igor Leshchuk took his place. We did not see Fedor Smolov either, who, according to the information from the press service of the White-and-Blues, has a minor injury.

Zenit conceded in the 12th second, but managed to recoup

Nevertheless, not the most optimal team compositions did not say at all that they did not need the Russian Cup. Dynamo proved it in the 12th second of the first half. Wards of Slavisa Jokanovic quickly played from the center of the field, followed by a throw on Mumi Ngamale, who perfectly understood the situation and powerfully shot from outside the penalty area. The ball hit the post, but bounced right into Vasyutin’s back, and from him it had already flown into the goal. An amazing start and shocking for St. Petersburg fans.

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Zenit did not grieve for long and could even the score already in the 9th minute of the match. Leshchuk played unsuccessfully at the exit and knocked the ball straight at Mantouan, who managed to hit the crossbar from close range. The hosts did not stop there and began to create chances further. Magnificent was Claudinho, who led the game, and sometimes gave out masterpieces in terms of technique and work with the ball. I wanted to watch several of his heel passes again and again. The pressure from Zenit led to a logical goal. All the same Claudinho gave to Douglas Santos, he hung on Bakaev, and Zelimkhan sent the ball with his head into the bottom corner of Leshchuk’s goal – 1:1.

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Zenit obviously wanted to take the lead even before the break, but they could have conceded. Vasyutin did not play too confidently at the exit, not getting to the ball, but Sazonov failed to take advantage of the chance.

Dynamo didn’t get a clean penalty?

Jokanovic released Gagnidze instead of Zakharyan for the second half. Arsene was invisible in the first 45 minutes, so the logic of the Dynamo coach can be understood. The scenario on the field has changed. “Zenith” pressed and was close to a goal in the 51st minute. Wendel and Claudinho played a combination, but Leshchuk parried the first blow. And then there was an episode that will be discussed for a very long time.

Tyukavin received the ball in the penalty area of ​​Zenit and was hit in the calf muscle by Claudinho. The blow was not strong, but the touch was clearly visible on the repeat. Chief Judge Yevhen Kukulyak consulted with video assistants for a long time, and then went to watch the video himself. The process dragged on, but there was no solution. As a result, Kukulyak did not record a foul, which caused ironic smiles on the Dynamo bench. It was clear from the expression on Jokanovic’s face that he was thinking about the referee’s decision.

At the same time, Dynamo could snatch victory at the very end of the second half. Substitute Grulev opened in Zenit’s penalty area and hit the post with his head. Vasyutin would not have helped the team in any way if the opponent had been more precise. The last minutes passed with a big advantage for Dynamo, but the Blue-and-White failed to turn it into a goal scored.

Everything was decided in a penalty shoot-out, which, according to the rules of the Russian Cup, is held immediately after the end of regular time. And there Leshchuk became a hero, repelling two blows from Zenit. At the same time, Vasyutin was the first to make a save of amazing beauty, parrying Grulev’s blow. But Kuzyaev’s disgusting blow leveled the situation, after which the ball became easy prey for the goalkeeper. Dynamo reached the semi-finals, and Zenit will focus on defending the title in the championship.

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