Akhmat Grozny edged Dynamo Makhachkala 3-2 in a pulsating Russian Premier League encounter at the Akhmat Arena on September 13, 2026. The five-goal thriller swung one way and then the other before the hosts finally sealed all three points with a late winner, lifting them into the top half of the table and deepening Dynamo’s frustration on the road.

Match Overview

Both sides entered the match with plenty to prove. Akhmat Grozny had been showing signs of a resurgence under their current management, blending experienced heads with academy graduates, while Dynamo Makhachkala arrived looking to build on a solid start to their second consecutive top-flight campaign. The visitors sat just a point behind Akhmat in the standings, making this a direct battle for mid-table supremacy. A crowd of over 18,000 filled the stands in Grozny, creating the kind of intense atmosphere that has become a hallmark of Akhmat’s home fixtures.

Key Moments

• 12' – Akhmat 1-0: Mohamed Konaté pounced on a loose ball inside the box after a corner was only half-cleared, firing low past the Dynamo goalkeeper to give the hosts an early lead.
• 28' – Dynamo Makhachkala 1-1: The visitors responded with a well-worked move down the right. A whipped cross was met by Magomed Magomedov, whose glancing header nestled into the far corner.
• 45+2' – Akhmat 2-1: Just before the break, Akhmat restored their advantage. Lechi Sadulaev curled a superb left-footed effort from the edge of the area into the top corner, sending the home fans into raptures.
• 67' – Dynamo Makhachkala 2-2: Dynamo refused to lie down. After a spell of pressure, Gadzhi Gadzhiev latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted past the onrushing keeper to level the score.
• 84' – Akhmat 3-2: The decisive moment came six minutes from time. Substitute Bernard Berisha, who had been on the pitch for only ten minutes, reacted quickest to a rebound and smashed the ball home from close range.

Tactical Story

Akhmat set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to dominate possession and press high up the pitch. Their full-backs pushed aggressively, creating overloads on the flanks, and the midfield duo of Artem Timofeev and Vladislav Karapuzov controlled the tempo. Dynamo Makhachkala, by contrast, deployed a compact 5-3-2 system, sitting deep and looking to spring counter-attacks through their pacy forwards. That approach worked well for stretches, particularly in the second half when they equalised, but Akhmat’s superior bench and relentless pressure eventually told. The hosts finished with 58% possession and 17 shots to Dynamo’s 9, underlining their attacking intent.

Standout Players

Mohamed Konaté was a constant menace, not only scoring the opener but also winning numerous aerial duels and holding up play to bring others into the game. Lechi Sadulaev produced a moment of individual brilliance for the second goal, and his driving runs from midfield kept Dynamo on the back foot. For the visitors, Magomed Magomedov was excellent, scoring one and creating several chances, while goalkeeper Timur Magomedov made a string of saves to keep the score respectable.

Season Impact

The victory moves Akhmat Grozny up to sixth place with 13 points from seven matches, keeping them in touch with the European qualification spots. Dynamo Makhachkala remain in tenth, but their spirited display suggests they will have few relegation worries if they maintain this level. Both teams now turn their attention to the next round, with Akhmat facing a tricky away trip and Dynamo returning home to regroup.