KYZYLORDA, Kazakhstan (Interstat) — Taraz FK scored in the second minute and again in second-half stoppage time, overcoming a two-goal comeback from Alibi Mukhit to beat FC Batyr 3-2 on Thursday in a global football match. FC Batyr hosted the game, and Taraz FK finished with three goals to FC Batyr’s two. Bauyrzhan Baytana opened the scoring in the second minute for Taraz FK, and Erkebulan Toibekov doubled the lead in the third minute. FC Batyr answered through Mukhit, who scored in the 20th minute and again in the 38th to level the match. The comeback set up a tense finish, and Taraz FK lost Bauyrzhan Baytana to a red card in the 88th minute. Ulugbek Khaitmuratov then scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Taraz FK the win. The goals arrived in a rapid sequence early, with Taraz FK taking control before FC Batyr responded through Mukhit’s two finishes. Baytana’s red card changed the closing stages, but Taraz FK still found the decisive goal through Khaitmuratov.

Mukhit played the full 90 minutes and scored twice for FC Batyr. Toibekov played 90 minutes and scored once for Taraz FK. Khaitmuratov played 90 minutes and scored once. Baytana played 90 minutes, scored once and received a red card. Dias Lesbek played 90 minutes and recorded one assist for Taraz FK, while Azamat Aitpakayev played 90 minutes and recorded one assist for FC Batyr. Mukhit’s two goals were the main scoring output for FC Batyr, and Toibekov and Khaitmuratov provided the other goals for Taraz FK. Baytana’s early goal and later dismissal framed a match that remained close into stoppage time. Lesbek and Aitpakayev each contributed an assist without adding a goal. All six key performers logged 90 minutes.

Taraz FK’s record in this competition is now two wins, no losses and one draw, and its record across all competitions is the same. FC Batyr’s record in this competition is now no wins, two losses and one draw, and its record across all competitions is also the same. Taraz FK had entered the match after a 5-0 win over Kaspij Aktau II and a 1-1 draw with Kairat Almaty II in its previous two games. FC Batyr had lost 2-0 at Kairat Almaty II and drawn 1-1 with FK Khan Tengri in its previous two matches. The result continued Taraz FK’s unbeaten start in the competition and left FC Batyr still seeking its first win. Taraz FK’s latest victory followed a strong attacking display, though FC Batyr’s two-goal response kept the match level until the final moments. Khaitmuratov’s late goal decided the contest after Baytana’s sending off had forced Taraz FK to finish with 10 players.

The match produced five goals, with Taraz FK scoring first and last. FC Batyr’s first-half response came after Taraz FK had taken a 2-0 lead inside the opening three minutes. FC Batyr’s comeback was built on Mukhit’s finishes in the 20th and 38th minutes, and the home side stayed level until the closing minutes. The home side could not find a third goal after Mukhit’s equalizer. Baytana’s red card in the 88th minute gave FC Batyr a numerical advantage for the final stretch, but Khaitmuratov scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to restore Taraz FK’s lead. Taraz FK’s win came after it had scored five goals in its previous match and drawn its prior game. FC Batyr’s previous two matches included a loss and a draw, and the home side remained without a victory after the final whistle.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Taraz FK 2, FC Batyr 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected FC Batyr with a 60.9 percent probability to win. Taraz FK had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 3.5.