FC Krasnodar 5-0 (2-0) FC Anzhi Makhachkala
Goals: Wanderson, 18 (Claesson, 1-0), Claesson, 38, penalty kick (2-0), Suleymanov, 55 (Ignatyev, 3-0), Ignatyev, 67 (Pereyra, 4-0), Suleymanov, 70 (Pereyra, 5-0).
FC Krasnodar: Safonov, Petrov (Stotsky, 72), Spajić, Martynovich, Skopintsev, Gazinsky (Golubev, 72), Pereyra, Claesson (Utkin, 72), Wanderson, Suleymanov, Ignatyev.
FC Anzhi Makhachkala: Dyupin, Belov, Udaly, Elmurzayev, Gaydarov (Katsayev, 53), Gigolayev (Markelov, 53), Zakirov, Kulik, Ondoua, Akhyadov, Ponce (Agalarov, 72).
Yellow cards: Petrov, 30 (unsporting behaviour) – Belov, 42 (unsporting behaviour), Zakirov, 87 (unsporting behaviour).
Referees: Bezborodov (Saint Petersburg), Mosyakin, Bolotenkov (both Moscow).
31 March 2018. Krasnodar. FC Krasnodar Stadium. Cloudy. 11 degrees. 23 256 spectators.
After a two-week break caused by the games of the national teams FC Krasnodar resumed its Russian Football Championship career with a home match against FC Anzhi Makhachkala. The home team was able to convert their big playing advantage into an opener on the 18th minute. Wanderson Maciel played a wall pass combination with Claesson and shot the ball past the Anzhi goalie Dyupin at close range. Twenty minutes later Gigolayev committed a handball in his own box, hence a penalty kick was ordered. Viktor Claesson executed it with a precise shot and doubled the lead of the Bulls.
The young Krasnodar Academy-trained players continued this goal feast after the half-time interval. Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov scored a brace, while Ivan Ignatyev combined an accurate shot with an assist he provided to his teammate. Two outstanding assists on behalf of Mauricio Pereyra should also be noted. 5-0 as a result, and the black-greens both made their fans happy with a big runaway win and retuned to the first three positions in the Russian Premier League standings.