Djiku inspires Spartak Moscow to beat Zenit on penalties to reach cup final
9th April 2026
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Ghana international Alexander Djiku played a decisive role as Spartak Moscow booked their place in the Russian Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Zenit St Petersburg.
Following a tense encounter that ended goalless after regulation time, the semi-final was settled from the spot, where Spartak emerged 7-6 winners in a nervy shootout.
Djiku set the tone early, confidently converting his side’s first penalty to give Spartak the perfect start. His composure helped steady the team in a high-pressure situation, as both sides traded successful spot-kicks.
With little to separate the teams throughout the match, the contest ultimately hinged on fine margins, and Spartak held their nerve to secure victory and progress to the final.
The result marks a significant milestone for Djiku and his club, who will now look ahead to the final with hopes of lifting silverware.
For the Black Stars defender, the performance adds to an impressive season abroad, underlining his importance both at club level and for Ghana as major competitions approach.