MOSKVA (Interstat) — PFK CSKA Moscow and FK Rostov opened their Russian Premier League seasons with a 1-1 draw Tuesday at VEB Arena.

The result defied pregame projections that heavily favored the home side. Rostov substitute Ronaldo Cesar opened the scoring in the 36th minute. CSKA’s Tamerlan Musaev equalized in the 57th, assisted by defender Moisés, after Musaev had set up Cesar’s earlier goal. Both teams finished with three yellow cards.

The draw leaves each club with an identical record of one draw, no wins and no losses both in the league and across all competitions to start the 2026 campaign.