Zilina 1-2 Spartak: Russians overcome late red card to defeat Zilina

ZILINA: Russian outfit Spartak Moscow have defeated Slovakian minnows MSK Zilina 2-1 in the final group stage match of the Champions League.

The home side found themselves in front three minutes into the second half when Tomas Majtan headed home but the Russians rallied to level in the 54th minute through Alex who finished with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Spartak then hit the front just after the hour-mark when Ibson finished a neat pass from Alex to give the visitors a lead that eventually allowed them to take all three points but not before the scorer of their second goal was sent from the field for a bad challenge in the 78th minute.

Earlier, Spartak fans caused trouble in the stands at the tiny Pod Dubnom Stadium minutes after kick-off, causing a 20-minute delay, and the visiting players had to try and calm their fans down before referee Kevin Blom finally re-started play.

Spartak ended up third in Group F whilst Zilina will return to their domestic league all the better for the European experience.

UEFA Champions League – Group F
MSK Zilina (SVK): 1 (Tomas Majtan 48’)
Spartak Moscow (RUS): 2 (Alex 54’, Ibson 61’)

Venue: Stadium Pod Dubnom, Zilina
Crowd: 10,000