Andrew Olsson
March 17, 2026Russian Cup: João Batxi scores twice as Krasnodar dominate CSKA to reach semifinals
Photo: FC Krasnodar
Russian Cup: João Batxi scores twice as Krasnodar dominate CSKA to reach semifinals
Former Angola national team forward João Batxi helped FC Krasnodar qualify for the Russian Cup final on Tuesday with two goals in a 4-0 quarterfinal second leg victory over CSKA Moscow.
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Down 1-3 from a first leg defeat in Moscow, the hosts seized control early to get themselves back into the tie before a red card late in the first half allowed them to surge to an aggregate victory.
Former FC Nantes midfielder Douglas Augusto put the hosts into the lead inside twenty minutes to relieve some pressure and cut the aggregate deficit down to one goal. Fellow Brazilian Matheus Reis was issued a red card in first half stoppage time, leaving CSKA on a knife’s edge with a numerical disadvantage for the second half.
And it was Batxi who quickly pounced. The former Chaves attacker cut his celebrations short due to the linesman’s flag after finishing from Jhon Cordoba’s assist in the 49th minute, but the goal was confirmed to leave the aggregate score at 3-3.
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From that point on, the CSKA defense was under constant siege and crumbled under the pressure. Cordoba put the hosts ahead less than ten minutes after Batxi’s goal and it only got worse for the giants from the capital after Brazilian fullback Moisés was issued two yellow cards in quick succession five minutes later.
Batxi added his second goal to put his team beyond reach in the 67th minute with another finish in the penalty area, his sixth goal in all competitions this season.
The result advances Krasnodar to the final of the tournament path for Russian Premier League clubs, where they will face either Dynamo Moscow or Spartak Moscow. Dynamo won the first leg 5-2 at home and the two Moscow rivals will face off for the second leg tomorrow (March 18).
The winner of the Premier League path will face the winner of the “Regions Path”, which features four other Premier League clubs including Lokomotiv Moscow. Zenit Saint Petersburg will face Dynamo Makhachkala on Wednesday before Krylia Sovetov and Lokomotiv clash on Thursday to complete the “Regions Path” semifinals.
Born in Portugal, Batxi elected to represent Angola in 2021. He has made three appearances for the Palancas Negras.
