CSKA Moscow entered the match with little on the line, having already lost their chance for bronze in the Russian Premier League after a defeat in the Russian Cup lower bracket final against Spartak (0:1). Their only motivation was to finish the season with dignity. In the 29th round, they traveled to face Pari Nizhny Novgorod, a team fighting for survival. For the hosts, this was a “match of life”: a win would have lifted them out of the relegation zone, leapfrogging Dynamo Makhachkala on tiebreakers.
The first half-hour belonged to CSKA. Under interim head coach Dmitry Igdisamov, they created more chances and kept Pari Nizhny Novgorod at bay. Danil Krugovoy was particularly active, returning to the left winger role after Fabio Celestini’s dismissal. He delivered two excellent crosses to Tamerlan Musaev, but the forward squandered both opportunities.
CSKA’s best chance in the first half came from Ivan Oblyakov. Midway through the half, he read a deflection near the edge of the box and struck a half-volley, only to see the ball fly just wide of the post.
As the half wore on, Vadim Garanin’s side seized the initiative. The first warning for the visitors was Renaldo Sefas hitting the post with a scissor kick, though the offside flag spared CSKA. Sefas was surprisingly substituted before the break for Vyacheslav Grulev. The Jamaican has been one of Pari’s best players in spring 2026, so the change raised eyebrows—whether due to injury or tactics remains unclear.
On the 35th minute, a bizarre incident occurred. Vladislav Torop and Joao Victor clashed inside CSKA’s box. The Brazilian gestured at the goalkeeper, who ran over to confront him. Victor grabbed Torop’s shirt before referee Andrey Prokopov intervened. The episode highlighted tension within the team, reminiscent of Real Madrid’s recent struggles.
But that moment was quickly forgotten. In the 44th minute, Pari Nizhny Novgorod struck first. Olakunle Olusegun robbed Matvey Kislyak near his own box, rolled the ball to Daniil Lesovoy, who dribbled 30 meters, cut inside onto his strong left foot, and fired under Torop’s crossbar. 1-0! The goal momentarily lifted Pari to 14th place in the live table.
After the break, the hosts continued to dominate. In a flash interview, defender Yuri Koleidin noted that his team often concedes when sitting back with a 1-0 lead. Pari remembered that lesson and kept attacking.
CSKA, lacking motivation, began making careless, almost childish mistakes—unacceptable for a top-club. Yet Pari failed to capitalize. Substitute Vyacheslav Grulev was the main culprit, wasting at least two clear-cut chances.
Pari could not double their lead despite playing much better. CSKA looked dire, offering no hope—until the 89th minute.
The visitors turned the game around in two lightning strikes. First, Danila Kozlov equalized by nodding home a cross from Imran Firov. It was his debut RPL goal for CSKA since joining from Krasnodar.
Then, in the 90th minute, Firov himself scored the winner. The comeback was complete: CSKA snatched a 2-1 victory, leaving Pari Nizhny Novgorod’s survival hopes hanging by a thread.
Lukyanov was sent off in stoppage time for the hosts, but it mattered little.
