Zenit St. Petersburg took a significant step towards the Russian Cup final with a 2-0 home victory over rivals CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their semi-final tie on May 1, 2025. This result gives Zenit a commanding advantage heading into the return leg, thanks to a clean sheet and a two-goal cushion. The home side controlled key periods of the match, scoring at crucial times to deflate the CSKA challenge. CSKA Moscow struggled to break down a disciplined Zenit defense and now face a monumental task in the second leg to overturn the deficit. This victory not only puts Zenit in the driver's seat for the final but also delivers a psychological blow in one of Russian football's classic rivalries.