Argentine Driussi stars on home Zenit debut

MOSCOW: Argentine striker Sebastian Driussi scored twice including a stoppage-time winner on his home debut as Zenit St Petersburg rallied to beat Rubin Kazan 2-1 in the Russian Premier League on Saturday.

Zenit fell behind to a Rifat Zhemaletdinov goal on the stroke of half-time, but Driussi struck twice in his first start for Roberto Mancini’s side as the Italian made it two wins from two in Russia.

Zenit are level on six points alongside Lokomotiv Moscow and Krasnodar at the top of the table.Lokomotiv defeated city rivals CSKA Moscow 3-1 on Friday, while Krasnodar beat top-flight newcomers Tosno 2-0 on Saturday.

Zenit dominated the first half at the Krestovsky Stadium, which hosted the Confederations Cup final won by Germany, but a defensive blunder allowed Zhemaletdinov to fire Rubin ahead.

The hosts responded on 52 minutes when Alexander Kokorin knocked down a left-wing cross for the 21-year-old Driussi, a summer signing from River Plate, to sweep home the equaliser.Driussi struck again in the first minute of injury time as he turned in a cross from skipper Domenico Criscito to seal a dramatic Zenit victory.

Krasnodar, who host Danish side Lyngby in midweek, maintained their perfect start to the domestic campaign as second-half goals from Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra and Brazilian winger Joaozinho saw off Tosno.  —AFP