CSKA Moscow Survive Akron’s Late Surge to Win 3-2, Take Commanding Lead in Russian Cup Group
On a crisp autumn night in Moscow, CSKA Moscow reaffirmed their Cup ambitions with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Akron Togliatti at the VEB Arena, a result that not only showcased their attacking quality but also underlined the team’s defensive vulnerabilities—issues that manager Igor Karpov will need to address as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
The evening’s narrative traced a familiar arc for CSKA: dominance tempered by moments of frailty, resilience layered with lapses in concentration. The hosts—coming off a stinging 0-3 Premier League defeat at Lokomotiv just days earlier—were desperate to revive their momentum and maintain their perch atop Group 4. Akron, meanwhile, arrived with caution but not without optimism, buoyed by a recent 1-0 victory away at Nizhny Novgorod—their first win after a string of dispiriting losses that had left them languishing near the foot of the standings.
It was a tense, tactical opening, both teams wary of overcommitting. Akron, usually vulnerable in the early stages, seemed resolute, marshaled by goalkeeper Maxim Popović’s confident handling and a well-organized back line. But CSKA’s pressure began to tell as halftime approached. Just when Akron appeared poised to survive the opening stanza unscathed, Artem Shumanskiy delivered a blow they could not absorb: a deadly finish in the 45th minute, capitalizing on a sequence of crisp passing to put CSKA ahead as the stadium erupted.
If the first half belonged to CSKA, the second was Akron’s call for response. Finding renewed purpose, the visitors pressed and, on 65 minutes, their enterprise paid dividends. A sharp Akron counter forced a defensive miscue in CSKA’s box, and Gilson Tavares made no mistake from the penalty spot, dispatching his effort with composure to pull the match level and silence the home crowd.
CSKA looked shaken—briefly. What followed was a spell of relentless pressure, and, as is often the case at VEB Arena, it was the home-grown energy that shifted the contest. Substitutions injected new life, and in the 78th minute, Matvey Kislyak exploited a lapse in the Akron defense, timing his run to perfection and steering home a decisive finish to restore the lead. The goal was a testament to Kislyak’s instinct and CSKA’s ability to find solutions under pressure.
Barely four minutes later, Alerrandro—ever the opportunist—struck with clinical precision, making it 3-1 and seemingly putting the match out of reach for the visitors. The Brazilian’s goal capped a furious period for CSKA, whose fans sensed victory and chanted with abandon.
Yet Akron refused to wilt. With time ebbing away, they found a lifeline: a contentious penalty in the 90th minute, dispatched coolly to set up a dramatic finale. The scorer, whose name was not immediately confirmed, ensured Akron’s fighting spirit would not go unnoticed—a small consolation for a side whose Cup campaign has been marked by narrow defeats and moments of promise.
The final whistle brought both relief and reflection. For CSKA, the win secures vital Group 4 points, keeping them in command of their Cup destiny. Tonight’s effort was emblematic of their recent run: three wins, a draw, and a solitary loss in their last five outings. Yet the defensive lapses, particularly in set-piece situations and late-game concentration, are causes for concern—a fact underlined by Akron’s ability to claw back, however briefly.
Akron’s journey in the Cup remains uphill. Their last five matches now show just one victory—against Nizhny—amidst a string of losses and draws that underscore the challenge of competing against Russia’s elite. Still, the late surge tonight hints at a team capable of more than the sum of its current results.
Head-to-head, CSKA’s dominance over Akron continues: the Moscow giants have now won three of their last four meetings, including this year’s emphatic 3-1 league encounter. The gap in quality and experience remains evident, but Akron’s persistence tonight suggests they could yet play the role of spoilers in Group 4’s unfolding drama.
As the Cup progresses, CSKA’s schedule promises further challenges with upcoming matches against Krylya Sovetov and Nizhny Novgorod, while Akron face high-pressure tests against Lokomotiv and Rostov. With the group stage tightening, every point, every goal, and every defensive lapse will carry magnified importance.
Tonight, CSKA Moscow took a significant step toward Cup glory, but their margin for error grows thinner with each match. Akron, for their part, depart VEB Arena with pride restored and just enough hope to keep the campaign interesting. The road to the Russian Cup’s summit remains open, and if tonight’s drama is any indication, the journey promises suspense at every turn.