Saransk being the second to last destination for Zenit (last match day in Moscow against Dynamo), Villas Boas and his men had to get the three points and wait. CSKA Moscow was making another step to be crowned champions (1-3 win in Ufa) while Rostov and the second -Champions League- position for Zenit remain open till the end.
Criscito, Garay, Zhirkov were all absent (card, injury, card) forcing the Portuguese manager to put Smolnikov as left back and Garcia as stopper.
A tight first half found Hulk being the most dangerous man but keeper made some great saves to deny the Brazilian while Mordovya was trying to create something to worry Lodygin.
Teams were heading to half time goalless but Witsel showed very quick reaction and opened the score right before the whistle. Hulk’s curved foul kick was blocked by Revishvili and then hit the woodwork with the Belgian the only one following the ball and all alone headed in the opener for Zenit at the 45′ minute.
Lodygin’s big save at the start of the second half kept Zenit up front giving the chance to Hulk to double his team’s goals as Kokorin was brought down in the box at the 53′ minute. The Brazilian converted successfully and the 0-2 gave a safety cushion to the Blue-White-Sky blues with half an hour of game play remaining and Mordovia with their backs against the wall.
Revishvili was unable to continue and keeper sub Cebanu, with less than ten minutes in the game, brought Smolnikov down in the box -after Hulk’s outstanding through pass- and the second penalty was again netted in from the Brazilian, game over, 0-3 at the 71′.
