The starting XI remained unchanged from last week's lineup against Rostov, with Glushenkov taking the field for the blue-white-sky blues after scoring a hat-trick in his previous game. Zenit defeated Rostov 5-0, keeping them at the top of the RPL table with nine points after three games. Dynamo also secured three victories in their opening three matches, but Zenit led on goal difference.
The blue-white-sky blues suffered a 1-0 defeat in their last encounter with Dynamo on 28 April, with a goal in the 76th minute from Konstantin Tyukavin securing the win.
Zenit almost went up a goal in the first minute of play when Vyacheslav Karavaev's left-footed shot from the centre of the box went wide of the left post. Dynamo's Milan Majstorovic connected with the ball from a corner kick, and his header from the centre of the box was comfortably saved by Zenit goalkeeper Evgeny Latyshonok. Mateo Cassierra then failed to control Claudinho's low cross from the left flank inside Dynamo's six-yard box, leading to Andrey Lunev making an easy save.
Claudinho picked out Pedro's run down the left side during a Zenit fast break. The 18-year-old Brazilian then played a lobbed pass to Glushenkov in the centre of the box. The Russian attacking midfielder set himself up for a left-footed strike, but the shot drifted right of the near post.
Latyshonok made a crucial save in the 29th minute at the corner of the Zenit net when Daniil Fomin fancied a chance from the right side of the six-yard box. Pedro set up Glushenkov for a shot inside the Dynamo penalty area a minute later. His attempt, however, sailed straight into the gloves of Lunev.
Dynamo completed more entries into the final third in the first half despite Zenit having greater possession and creating more significant chances. The closely contested 45-minute period ended with both teams heading to their respective locker rooms in a scoreless tie.
Wendel was forced to leave the game due to an injury after being fouled by Dynamo's Jorge Carrascal in the 47th minute. The medical staff attended to the Brazilian midfielder, but he was unable to continue and was substituted for Artur.
Despite losing one of their key players, the blue-white-sky blues pulled ahead in the 55th minute when Glushenkov converted a low crossing pass from Pedro into a one-touch left-footed finish from the centre of the box. The play was initially set up by Claudinho, who located Pedro on the left with a reaching pass before setting up Glushenkov with the go-ahead goal. The 25-year-old summer signing has now scored nine goals in just six matches for Zenit.
In the 81st minute, Latyshonok thought he had made his most decisive save of the match when he prevented Moumi Ngamaleu's tap-in attempt from finding the back of the net. In the 84th minute, Wilmar Barrios conceded a penalty with a handball in the 18-yard box, and Ngamaleu stepped up to take the spot kick for Dynamo. After Latyshonok saved his golden opportunity moments earlier, the Zenit goalkeeper made a perfect read on the Cameroonian winger's penalty attempt by diving left, preventing another late equaliser and ultimately securing victory for the blue-white-sky blues.
Zenit remains undefeated with this 1-0 win and atop the RPL table with 12 points after four matches. Sergei Semak's men have yet to concede a goal in the league so far this season.
The Russian champion's next match will be away at Ak Bars Arena on Wednesday, 14 August, when they take on Rubin Kazan in the second round of the FONBET Russian Cup. Kick-off is set for 5.15pm St. Petersburg time. Tickets are available here.