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In their second match in Spartak Cup international junior tournament Spartak Academy’s team was victorious over Portuguese Benfica – 2:0. 

Benfica - Spartak - 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Yuryev – 2.

Spartak: Scherbakov, Grechkin (Fedotov, 31), Yevteev, Ivanushkin, Likhachev, Babaev, Bakaev, Buranov, Konovalov (Yuryev, 31), Panteleev, Akmaev (Sadykhov, 57).

The first half performed by Spartak footballers tended to be not the brightest one. Our team conducted several promising attacks, but failed to finish with shots for goals, as every time the opponents were the first to handle the ball. Benfica’s attacking play also wasn’t bright enough. The Portuguese tried their luck several times by taking free kicks, they also attempted to score goals when playing, but each time the situation was controlled by goalkeeper Scherbakov. To set right after the break Vladimir Dzhubanov made two substitutions: guard Alexey Grechkin was substituted by Anton Fedotov and forward Alexander Yuriev substituted midfielder Igor Konovalov. Spartak coach managed to nick it, because exactly Alexander gained essential victory for his team.      

Initially Benfica footballers had an excellent chance to score a goal in the second half, however Portuguese team’s player shot wide above Spartak’s net from a dreadful position. The red and whites responded with three attacks, two of which turned to be effective. Initially Babaev and Yevteev kicked off rather well. Vladlen passed sideways to Yegor, who had been gaining momentum and who wanted to return the ball back to his partner after several instants, as the latter reached the center of the penalty area, but the lobbed pass was interrupted by Benfica guards. In the 39th minute the score was opened: Panteleev passed from the field center to the right side, from where his team partner switched to Yuriev, who was in the center of the penalty area and who scored one touch goal. It took Alexander 6 minutes to double. Guard Ivanushkin played perfectly in tackling: he interrupted opponents’ attack, after that Zelimkhan Bakaev switched the ball to Yuriev, thus releasing the forward. Alexander outplayed the goalkeeper and scored the goal to Benfica.       

2:0 – Spartak gained the first victory in the home tournament and moved to the second line in the tournament standings. Only Barcelona surpasses the red and whites: it has got two victories. Tomorrow Academy’s mentees will have an opportunity to get ahead of the Catalan team in a single combat that will start in Sokolniki at 7.00 p.m.