Russian champions Rubin Kazan began their bid for a third straight title with a 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow, but the home fans had to wait until the dying minutes for the decisive goal.
In the final game of the weekend, which had already seen victories for title challengers CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg, Spartak's hopes of continuing last season's strong showing took an early blow with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Moscow rivals Dynamo.
In Kazan, Rubin substitute Andrei Gorbanets broke the deadlock in the 87th minute and Alexander Bukharov, captain of a side missing Sergei Semak, Alexander Ryantsev, Cristian Ansaldi and Roman Sharonov, sealed the victory three minutes later with his fourth goal of the season.
Lokomotiv were also under strength, with midfield star Dmitry Torbinsky and defender Rodolfo both out, and the sides largely canceled each other out on an awful pitch.
The first goal came almost from nowhere, as Christian Noboa sent Gorbanets down the right and the substitute, on for Alan Kasayev in the 76th minute, cut inside past Renat Yanbaev and beat Guilerme with a shot that went in off the woodwork.
The Kazan side had had the better of the second half, and Bukharov ended any hope for the visitors, finishing well after he was found in the penalty area by new Turkish signing Fatih Tekke, who had replaced the injured Vagiz Galiulin in the first half.
Rubin now go to Wolfsburg on Thursday facing a tough task to reach the Europa League quarterfinals after last week's 1-1 draw in Kazan, and then travel to Tomsk in the league, while Lokomotiv return to Moscow for next weekend's game against Krylya Sovetov.
Spartak were poor in their season opener, and Dynamo took advantage, grabbing the game's only goal midway through the second half.
Spartak coach Valery Karpin, who was credited with reviving the side last season after the dismissal of Danish legend Michael Laudrup, was critical of both his players and the referee, who sent off Alexander Seshukov for the home side with five minutes to go.
"Playing like this we won't win any points," Karpin said after the game. "Now we must draw conclusions from what happened, come together and work."
He added that referee Sergei Karasev did not cope with officiating a difficult match. "The man is simply not ready for matches on this level. But we did not lose because of him," said Karpin, whose side now travels to St. Petersburg on Sunday.
Spartak were undone by Igor Semshov's goal, which the Russia midfielder deserved for his inspirational performance following a winter of rumors linking him to a move to Zenit. Dynamo host CSKA next weekend
In Sunday's other games on a low-scoring opening weekend, Terek Grozny won 2-0 in Novosibirsk against Premier League new boys Sibir, while another promoted side, Alania, drew 1-1 with Moscow region club Saturn in Vladikavkaz.
On Saturday, Zenit won 1-0 against Krylya Sovetov, the third promoted side - who replaced financially troubled FC Moskva - Anzhi Makhachkala drew 0-0 with Spartak Nalchik and Tom Tomsk, who themselves flirted with bankruptcy for much of last season, started with a 2-0 win at Rostov. The season kicked off Friday evening with CSKA's 1-0 win over Amkar in Moscow.
Results
CSKA Moscow 1-0 Amkar
Krylya Sovetov 0-1 Zenit St. Petersburg
Anzhi 0-0 Spartak Nalchik
Rostov 0-2 Tom Tomsk
Sibir 0-2 Terek Grozny
Rubin 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow
Alania 1-1 Saturn
Spartak Moscow 0-1 Dynamo Moscow
Table (after 1 game)
Terek Grozny 3
Tom Tomsk 3
Rubin 3
Dynamo Moscow 3
Zenit St. Petersburg 3
CSKA Moscow 3
Saturn 1
Alania 1
Anzhi 1
Spartak Nalchik 1
Amkar 0
Krylya Sovetov 0
Spartak Moscow 0
Lokomotiv Moscow 0
Rostov 0
Sibir 0
MOSCOW, March 14 (RIA Novosti)
