
Photo: FC Dynamo Moscow
Cameroonian winger Moumi Ngamaleu made a big contribution on Thursday as Dynamo Moscow defeated rivals Spartak Moscow 5-2 in the first leg of their Russian Cup semifinal duel (highlights further below).
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It took less than six minutes for the Indomitable Lions veteran to open the scoring with a far post finish from Bitello’s left wing cross. The first half was quite even with Manfred Ugalde hitting back for Spartak on the half hour mark to leave the teams level at halftime.
But it was Ngamaleu, awarded Man of the Match following the full time whistle, who put his team ahead for good in the 67th minute when a scuffed shot attempt fell perfectly for the former BSC Young Boys star to fire into the roof of the net.
His second goal set in motion a complete unraveling from Spartak, who conceded two more goals over the next six minutes. Bitello set up Maksim Osipenko to make it 5-1 in the 83rd minute before Luxembourg national team star Christopher Martins tallied a consolation to keep Spartak’s faint hopes alive.
After being relegated to the bench for a long stretch during the first half of the season, something that likely cost him a place in Cameroon’s squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ngamaleu is showing signs of life after the extended winter break in Russian football.
He contributed a goal and an assist as Dynamo returned to Russian Premier League action with a 4-0 thrashing of Krylya Sovetov on Sunday, bringing his season totals to 4 goals and 2 assists in 17 matches.
The rivals will meet again on March 18 for the second leg with the winner advancing to face either CSKA Moscow or Krasnodar. CSKA won the first leg 3-1 earlier on Thursday.