Zenit vs Neftchi

Zenit needed 21 minutes to break through. New signing Felipe Augusto — the Brazilian forward who joined the club this summer — opened the scoring with a strike that took a deflection off a Neftchi defender, giving goalkeeper Akbar Turayev no chance.

Just after the half-hour mark, Zenit doubled their lead. Maksim Glushenkov collected a pass from John Cordoba in the box and finished coolly to make it 2-0 in the 34th minute.

Neftchi responded swiftly. Three minutes later, Abrorbek Ismoilov pulled one back for the visitors, capitalising on a well-worked move to slot past Zenit goalkeeper Bogdan Moskvichev. The goal gave the Uzbek side a foothold heading into the interval at 2-1.

Zenit reasserted control after the break. Aleksandr Sobolev made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute with a crisp strike, and Daniil Kondakov rounded off the scoring in the 73rd minute, finishing from close range after a neat build-up.

Neftchi's goal in the 37th minute — scored just three minutes after Glushenkov's strike — briefly threatened to shift momentum. The visitors entered the interval within one goal, having shown they could trouble Zenit's defence. But Sobolev's early second-half strike extinguished any hope of a comeback. The Russian striker's 62nd-minute goal restored the two-goal cushion and forced Neftchi to push forward, leaving space that Kondakov exploited 11 minutes later.

Felipe Augusto (Zenit) — The Brazilian summer signing marked his Zenit debut with a 21st-minute opener. His movement and link-up play caused problems throughout his time on the pitch. A debut goal to remember.

Maksim Glushenkov (Zenit) — Scored the crucial second goal in the 34th minute and was a constant threat down the right flank. His intelligent movement created space for others.

Aleksandr Sobolev (Zenit) — Provided the killer blow with the third goal early in the second half, effectively ending the contest. His hold-up play and finishing were sharp.

Abrorbek Ismoilov (Neftchi) — The bright spot for the visitors. His well-taken goal in the 37th minute showed composure and gave Neftchi a brief lifeline before the break.

Player of the Match: Felipe Augusto (Zenit)

Zenit's 4-1 scoreline reflected their dominance but was not a complete blowout. Neftchi managed a response within three minutes of going 2-0 down, indicating they were not overawed by the occasion. The hosts' first-half xG advantage was built on sustained pressure around the box — Felipe Augusto's deflected opener and Glushenkov's cool finish came from high-quality chances.

Zenit's second-half display was more controlled. Sobolev's goal came from open play after patient build-up, and Kondakov's late strike demonstrated the depth of Sergei Semak's squad. Neftchi, missing three key players away on international duty, created few clear openings after the break.

For Zenit, this was their second pre-season friendly in the Winline Super Series after a 1-1 draw with Argentina's Gimnasia y Esgrima on 5 July. Sergei Semak's side have one more test before the RPL season begins — a home fixture against Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda on 12 July (kick-off 19:00 MSK). Zenit open their 2026/27 RPL campaign away to Akron Tolyatti on 24 July.

Neftchi, the reigning champions of Uzbekistan, used the match as a high-level test against European opposition. They were without key players Jamshid Iskanderov, Farrux Sayfiyev and Botirali Ergashev, who were absent due to World Cup commitments. The result provides valuable data for coaching staff as they assess squad depth ahead of the remainder of their domestic season.

The head-to-head now stands at one win apiece — Neftchi won the only previous meeting 2-1 in 2023.

A professional and largely comfortable pre-season win for Zenit. Augusto's debut goal was the headline, but the collective performance — particularly in the first half-hour — showed a side well into its preparation rhythm. Neftchi competed gamely but the gulf in quality and depth told as the match wore on. A useful exercise for both sides with different objectives.