Lokomotiv Moscow 3, Dynamo Kyiv 2

Before the Lokomotiv-Dynamo Champions League match one could not shake the impression of the unreality of the event about to happen. The atmosphere surrounding the European Cup match was too reminiscent of the one that invariably accompanies matches of such a level in Kyiv: the same cacophony of tooting horns and a bustling crowd that flocked to the stadium rather because of the international level of the match than out of sympathy for Lokomotiv. Two things came as a pleasant surprise: Moscow’s superior Cherkizovo Stadium that meets the highest European standards and a sizeable team of Dynamo supporters who came to Moscow on a special train. Along with the representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora in Moscow, the Dynamo rooters offered formidable competition to the traditionally emotional Moscow spectators. Despite reports that all tickets for the match had been sold out, the grandstand of the Lokomotiv Stadium did not seem packed.

While for various reasons five regular Dynamo players (Leko, Fedorov, Chernat, Husin, and Nanni) could not be fielded, the host team had only one major loss, with Izmaylov unable to play that day.

From the outset the match was different from what Dynamo usually showed in the previous Champions League rounds. The Ukrainian team was surprisingly unrestrained, causing the Lokomotiv defense to err. The Russians accepted the challenge, and the spectators saw not the defensive tug of war typical of such decisive matches, but an open and offensive game. Dynamo’s more frequent attacks rarely translated into shots from close range. Meanwhile, Lokomotiv’s counterattacks proved especially dangerous, since without Fedorov Dynamo’s defense was not beyond reproach, and Onyshchenko did not repel the Muscovites’ attacks as effectively as Leko normally does.

Eventually, Dmytrulin made a mistake, letting Lokomotiv take the lead on a goal by Buznikin, who was one on one with Shovkovsky. A few minutes of confused play resulted in a brilliant maneuver, and Dynamo tied the score on a shot that could not be blocked by Belkevich. The Kyivans captured the initiative, and it seemed that a second goal was only a matter of time. However, this is where referee Ibanjes had his say and awarded a highly controversial penalty kick. It will be recalled that this fall he already helped the Russian national team in their match with Switzerland. Ihnashevych scored a second goal from the penalty kick in the last minute of the first half.

Dynamo had only one option left, that is, to continue playing in the same vein no matter what. Unfortunately, despite the fact that Dynamo played up to the mark arguably for the first time in an away match, the score was not in their favor. Nonetheless, this time they did not leave the pitch with heads bowed.