Kazan's FC Rubin clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory against FC Spartak Moscow, interrupting the latter's seven-match winning streak during the 20th round of the Mir Russian Premier League on March 9, 2025. The match was notable not only for the passionate display on the pitch but also for setting a new attendance record at Kazan's Ak Bars Arena, which welcomed 17,449 spectators, surpassing the previous record of 17,404 set during the Russian Cup match against Zenit.
The first half of the match saw Rubin's star striker, Mirlind Daku, demonstrate impressive form, netting two goals within the opening 28 minutes. Daku’s first strike came at the 7th minute, taking advantage of Spartak's defense, with his second following shortly at the 28th minute, assisted beautifully by Ruslan Bezrukov. The home crowd erupted with cheers, reflecting their joy at seeing their team take the lead against one of Russia's top teams.
Spartak Moscow managed to respond just before halftime when Esequiel Barco scored via penalty at the 42nd minute, bringing the score to 2-1. The first half ended with this close scoreline, showing both teams’ competitive spirit. The visitors, led by head coach Dejan Stankovic, entered the break determined to turn the match around.
The second half intensified as Spartak ramped up their attack, creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Despite their impressive 67% possession and 24 shots (6 on target), they struggled to find the back of the net again—admirably thwarted by Rubin's goalkeeper, Evgeny Stavers.
Ruhlins maintained their composure throughout the match, with notable defensive efforts limiting their opponents' scoring chances. The match's turning point came at the 75th minute when both Daku and Spartak's Alexis Duarte received yellow cards, leading to their respective second bookings and subsequent ejections from the game.
Despite being reduced to ten players, Rubin held firm, showcasing remarkable resilience by keeping Spartak at bay for the remaining minutes to secure their victory. The result means Rubin now sits comfortably at eighth place on the league table with 29 points, whereas Spartak, with their defeat, remains third with 40 points.
Looking forward, Rubin's head coach expressed pride in the team's performance: "We showed great character today, and I’m delighted with how my players executed the game plan against such strong opponents," he noted during the post-match interview.
Next, Rubin will take on Pari Nizhny Novgorod at home on March 16, hoping to build on this momentum, whereas Spartak will look to rebound against Zenit St. Petersburg at their home ground. Fans and analysts are now eager to see how both teams will respond after this encounter, setting up intriguing fixtures as the league progresses.