ASTRAKHAN, Russia (Interstat) — Volgar Astrakhan opened its preseason schedule with a 2-1 victory over fellow Russian side Rodina Moskva in a club friendly match Sunday.

The match, part of a global slate of exhibition games, was played at an undisclosed venue. It provided an early test for both clubs as they continue preparations for their upcoming domestic campaigns.

Volgar Astrakhan seized control of the match from the opening moments, finding the net before many in the sparse crowd had settled. Forward Agustín Maziero provided the early breakthrough, scoring in just the second minute to give the home side an immediate 1-0 advantage.

Rodina Moskva, based in Moscow, responded with pressure and found an equalizer before the midway point of the first half. Óscar Santis leveled the score in the 18th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to make it 1-1.

The match remained deadlocked until the stroke of halftime, when Volgar Astrakhan reclaimed the lead. Kevin Ramírez scored in the 45th minute, sending the home team into the intermission with a 2-1 advantage.

The second half failed to produce further goals, though both sides made numerous substitutions to evaluate squad depth. The Volgar Astrakhan defense held firm against Rodina Moskva’s attempts to find a second equalizer, preserving the narrow margin through the final whistle.

The result gave Volgar Astrakhan a winning start to its exhibition schedule, moving its record in all competitions this season to one win and no losses. For Rodina Moskva, the defeat marked an 0-1 start to its friendly slate and across all matches.

The final score defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 2-2 draw. The analytics firm’s ELO rating system, however, had given Volgar Astrakhan a 64.5% probability of winning the contest, a prediction that proved accurate.

The friendly served as a practical fitness exercise for both clubs, which compete in different tiers of the Russian football pyramid. Such matches are commonplace during the spring preparatory period, allowing managers to assess player form and tactical setups away from competitive pressure.

No further details about the venue or attendance were immediately available. Both teams are expected to continue their preseason training with additional friendlies in the coming weeks.