The Cup Is Ours!

Lokomotiv got back in the game against Kuban and added a sixth Cup to their collection.

It goes without saying just how important this game was to both teams. Kuban have never won a trophy in history, while Lokomotiv won their last Cup back in 2007.

The host city of Astrakhan turned into a football capital, decorated with red-green and yellow-green colour combinations. The weather and the turf were great, and the well-organized Lokomotiv fans’ section added the thrill. They were wearing green and had marched through the centre of the city waving flags and scarves.

The visitors scored first but their goal was cancelled - the referee had seen a foul seconds before. Nevertheless, soon Guilherme conceded a legal goal. 0:1.

Lokomotiv felt the momentum and started creating chances. Kuban defenders worked hard to restrain Kasaev, Denisov, and Fernandes who served the ball forward every now and then.

In the second half, one of the substitutions proved effective. Niasse replaced Pavlyuchenko and just a couple of minutes later found himself with the ball in the box, and sent it masterfully past Belenov! 1:1!

In the following 10 minutes Lokomotiv boosted up their effort and had three good chances. Samedov had a go but just a little wide, like Boussoufa a minute later. Kuban tried to make use of counter-attacks which were dangerous. In the second half the teams fought for every inch of the field.

Soon full time was over. After a short break, extra time started - and Boussoufa exploded the stands with a clinical finish after Kasaev’s witty cross.

The winner was a masterpiece: Miranchuk received a long pass from Corluka, shook off two opponents one by one and scored a spectacular goal!

3:1! We are the champions! It is our Final! It is our Cup!

Russian Cup. Final

Lokomotiv - Kuban - 3:1 (0:1, 1:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Goals: Ignatyev, 28 (1:0). Niasse, 72 (1:1). Boussoufa, 104 (2:1), Miranchuk, 110 (3:1).

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Denisov, Pejcinovic, Corluka, Logashov, Shishkin, Fernandes (Miranchuk, 71), Kasaev (Maicon, 106), Samedov, Boussoufa, Pavlyuchenko (Niasse, 64).
Kuban: Belenov, Armash, Rabiu, Kabore, Sunjic, Almeida (Balde, 69), Sosnin, Ignatyev (Kulik, 105), Bugayev, Popov, Tkachyov (Bucur, 78).
Yellow cards: Rabiu, 33. Pejcinovic, 45. Samedov, 83. Boussoufa, 87. Corluka, 89. Ignatyev, 103
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (St Petersburg)
May 21. Astrakhan. Tsentralniy Stadium.