Rotor Volgograd vs Fakel

Rotor Volgograd pulled off the upset of the round, beating league leaders Fakel Voronezh 1-0 at the Volgograd Arena in Round 25 of the Liga PARI. Abu-Said Eldarushev struck the only goal in the 22nd minute to inflict Fakel's first defeat since October. Eldarushev latched onto a pass from Aleksandr Kleshchenko to fire home and stun the visitors early on. Despite Fakel dominating possession with 55%, Rotor were the more clinical side, registering five shots on target to the visitors' three. The result snaps a remarkable unbeaten run for Fakel, who had not tasted defeat in over four months. They remain top of the table on 52 points but Ural are lurking just seven points behind. For Rotor, now sixth on 36 points, this was sweet revenge after their 4-0 humiliation in the reverse fixture back in October.