CSKA Moskva seal Russian Cup success

PFC CSKA Moskva have marked their centenary year with a record sixth Russian Cup title after a 2-1 win against second-tier challengers FC Alania Vladikavkaz.

The capital side prevailed in Yaroslavl thanks to a pair of Seydou Doumbia strikes, the Ivorian international opening the scoring on 13 minutes after being released by a clever pass from Vágner Love. That put the Army Men in full control, but their opponents managed to carve out an equaliser nine minutes later, Danilo Neco finding the net with a deflected effort which left Igor Akinfeev helpless in the CSKA goal.

Incredibly, that was Alania's first goal in the competition this season, the second division leaders having progressed as a result of a series of penalty shoot-outs on the back of 0-0 draws. Leonid Slutski's men did not falter, however, and went back ahead when Doumbia headed in a Keisuke Honda cross with 21 minutes remaining.

"CSKA have never had easy finals and so it proved again this year," explained Slutski, for whom this represented a first major trophy. "The emotions are overwhelming. We've won the cup, so there's no point reflecting on the quality of the game."

"It's a great result and a big victory, but I hope more is to come," added CSKA and Serbia midfielder Zoran Tošić. "The game was tough, despite Alania playing in the second division, but it was a cup final after all. I had three chances and didn't score, but we won the trophy and that's all that matters."