Spartak Moscow 3-0 MSK Zilina - Spartak too strong for Slovakians

Posted Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by PA

Brazilian striker Ari struck twice as Spartak Moscow stepped up their push for a place in the Champions League knock-out stages beating MSK Zilina 3-0.

Ari's compatriot Welliton had been the player Zilina feared the most, after his 16 goals in 17 domestic league appearances for Spartak this year.

But former AZ Alkmaar frontman Ari was the player who made the difference between the teams, scoring in each half as the Russians took their points tally to six from two matches, ahead of home and away fixtures with Chelsea.

Ibson, another Brazilian, added a late third to emphasise the difference between the teams.

Spartak beat Marseille 1-0 in their opening group game, hinting at their strength, while Zilina were downed 4-1 away by Chelsea.

Although Slovakia recently beat Russia in the qualifying group stage for Euro 2012, their national champions have yet not looked up to scratch for this competition.

With pace to spare in their attack, Spartak got in among the Zilina defence early on.

Shots from Aleksandr Sheshukov and Sergei Parshivlyuk carried threat, while Aiden McGeady's pace tormented the visitors.

Welliton went close soon before the opening goal, when his left-footed half-volley was parried out by Martin Dubravka.

Ari made the breakthrough after 34 minutes when Alex's left-footed corner from the right found him around 15 yards from goal beyond the far post, from where he sent a looping header over Dubravka.

Defender Patrik Mraz might have done better but stationed himself behind the line, and by the time the ball reached him it had entered the goal, making his prodded clearance worthless.

Spartak pushed for a second goal but it did not arrive until the 61st minute, with Ari again the man on target.

Alex swung a fine lofted pass from a central position to Dmitri Kombarov stationed on the left flank, and he wasted no time in firing over a probing low cross which Ari, attacking the far post, swept in from close range.

It was nearly 3-0 in the 75th minute when Alex unleashed a 20-yard strike which hit Jozef Piacek on its way through to Dubravka, seemingly close to the defender's arm, and the goalkeeper pushed the ball against his left-hand post.

Ibson had replaced Welliton by that stage, and in the 89th minute he condemned Zilina to a second successive three-goal European defeat with a sweet finish on the run after Christian Maidana angled in a perfect cross from the left.