Carioca Steals 3-2 Win for Spartak at Zenit

© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Fedorenko / Go to the mediabankRafael Carioca
Rafael Carioca - Sputnik International
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Rafael Carioca's last-minute strike gave 10-man Spartak Moscow a dramatic 3-2 win over champions Zenit St. Petersburg on Sunday, thrusting the Muscovites into the race for a Champions League spot.

Rafael Carioca's last-minute strike gave 10-man Spartak Moscow a dramatic 3-2 win over champions Zenit St. Petersburg on Sunday, thrusting the Muscovites into the race for a Champions League spot.

The Brazilian midfielder slotted coolly into the corner after a layoff from Artem Dzyuba to take all three points in a bad-tempered game at the Petrovsky Stadium.

Moments earlier Spartak striker Emmanuel Emenike looked to have snatched a draw for the visitors with a side-foot shot, after which the Nigerian was shown a straight red card for a controversial goal celebration.

Alexander Kerzhakov had put the hosts ahead on 24 minutes, sliding in to meet a looping cross from Domenico Criscito. It was the Russia striker's 23rd league goal of the season and 100th for his club.

Spartak leveled it 20 minutes from time as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov tucked the ball into the corner after a square ball from Kirill Kombarov.

It was Bilyaletdinov's first goal in seven appearances for Spartak since joining from Everton in the January transfer window.

Sergei Semak put Zenit 2-1 up 10 minutes from time from the penalty spot after Viktor Fayzulin was fouled in the box, but the visitors scored twice in the last six minutes to stun the champions and take the points.

Spartak go from fourth to joint second on 72 points with CSKA Moscow, who can restore a 3-point lead against Dan Petrescu's FC Kuban on Monday.

Zenit secured the title with three games to spare after a 2-1 defeat of Dynamo Moscow last month.

The incident-packed game saw both sides miss open goals and bookings handed out to 10 players - four for Zenit and six to Spartak.

Roman Shirokov struck the underside of the crossbar on 12 minutes with the goal gaping; the ball bounced to safety and the Russia midfielder put his head in his hands.

Spartak missed their own sitter moments later as Emenike intercepted a poor pass from Zenit goalkeeper Vyachelsav Malafeyev but Kirill Kombarov fired over with Malafeyev off his line.

Spartak looked to reply to Kerzhakov's opener instantly, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov hitting over the bar as he was falling back.

Emenike scuffed wide as Spartak looked for a way back in the second half.

After sustained pressure, the visitors equalized through Bilyaletdinov and maintained the pressure.

Aiden McGeady found himself in space on the edge of the Zenit box soon after but had a shot blocked.

At the other end, Fayzulin miscued his shot in front of an open goal after the ball ricocheted to him off a defender, a miss he would come to rue as his team capitulated in the dying minutes.

Zenit's last game of the season is away to Guus Hiddink's Anzhi next Sunday, while Spartak travel to Lokomotiv Moscow.

 

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