Zenit 1-2 CSKA: Oblyakov last-gasp double stuns Petersburg in Russian Premier League (full match highlights)

CSKA Moscow snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Russian Premier League's matchday 7 clash at the Gazprom Arena on 5 September 2026, with Ivan Oblyakov scoring twice including a 98th-minute winner. The match exploded into controversy as early as the 7th minute when Zenit boss Sergei Semak snatched the ball from CSKA defender Joao Victor, earning both a yellow card in the resulting melee. Semak was forced to leave the touchline briefly, while his side dominated proceedings, registering eight shots to CSKA's zero by the 32nd minute. However, deep into first-half stoppage time, VAR intervened to award CSKA a penalty after Aleksandr Sobolev was judged to have struck Dzhamalutdin Abdukadyrov with his elbow. Oblyakov stepped up and converted in the 45+8th minute to give the visitors a shock lead. Semak made attacking changes after the break, introducing Sergei Volkov, Douglas Santos, Pedro, and Felipe Augusto, but Zenit struggled to break down CSKA's resilient defence until the 84th minute. Luis Enrique delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Sobolev rose to head past the goalkeeper to level the scores. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Oblyakov struck again on 90+8 minutes, completing his brace and securing all three points for CSKA. Semak was furious after the match, questioning the referee's decision-making, particularly the failure to award a penalty for a similar incident in the CSKA box. Sobolev shouldered the blame for the defeat, admitting the penalty he conceded was his fault and apologising to fans for Zenit's poor start to the season. With this win, CSKA climbed to second place with 15 points, while Zenit dropped to fourth with 12 points. This was Zenit's third loss in seven league games, raising serious questions about their title defence. Can the champions recover and mount a challenge for the top spot?

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