The Caucasian derby could have decided the first team to be relegated from the Mir Russian Premier League. If Dynamo Makhachkala had taken even a point in Grozny against an Akhmat side with little tournament motivation, Sochi would have been sent down to the Pari League early. The Dagestanis managed to secure a draw!
Mir Russian Premier League, Round 29
May 10, 2026, Sunday, 17:15 MSK
Akhmat (Grozny) 1 : 1 Dynamo Makhachkala (Makhachkala)
0:1 – Azzi (38′)
1:1 – Kenzhebek (83′)
Goalkeeper Karabashev made his RPL debut for Makhachkala. He had previously only conceded once, and that was from a highly controversial penalty in the Cup against Zenit. Vadim Evseev also used a three-center-back formation for the first time. Akhmat could not test it due to Melkadze being suspended on yellow cards and Pryakhin being injured. Konate made his first start since August.
Sheliya also returned to the starting lineup. He made a spectacular save on the first chance of the match in the 21st minute, when Agalarov broke through after a ricochet. Soon after, Gamid almost went one-on-one with Giorgi, but N’Dong stopped him at the last moment.
G am id Agalarov 
Giorgi Sheliya
Both teams played cautiously, but Dynamo had more possession, pressed high as usual, and attacked more interestingly. Akhmat failed to record a single shot in the first 30 minutes, even off target. However, later Konate beautifully backheeled to Sadulaev, who crossed to Kasintura. Egas’s first-time shot was unsuccessful.
Then, in the 38th minute, a masterpiece occurred! Azzi dribbled solo from his own half, cut inside to fool Tsake, and curled the ball into the top right corner! Was that Hakimi? Earlier, Makhachkala had also claimed a penalty when N’Dong hit Tabidze in the face with his elbow. Referee Ivanov chose not to intervene.
In response, Konate headed dangerously but inaccurately from a corner delivered by Samorodov. So, at halftime, a serious conversation awaited the Grozny players with Stanislav Cherchesov. The coach got heated and received a yellow card for arguing. Akhmat’s players did not follow his lead and stopped creating chances for a long time. Dynamo also stalled, but they were leading on the scoreboard.
The turning point came from Cherchesov’s substitution: Mansilla and Kenzhebek came on simultaneously. The Argentine quickly earned a yellow, created a chance for the Kazakh with a swift run, and headed well from Ismail’s cross. Then, in the 83rd minute, Galymzhan moved unchallenged from the left flank to the center and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner! Pure beauty!
Now we say a final goodbye to Sochi. Makhachkala lost their chance at direct survival but are three points ahead of Pari NN, who host CSKA tomorrow. If tied on points, Dagestanis would lose due to head-to-head results.
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