Atalanta had more of the ball and created the better chances in the first half, with Christian Fradegrada's header and Alberto Bellei's shot in the 19th minute coming closest to breaking the deadlock. After the break the game became much more balanced, which was also reflected in the number of chances as the two sides largely cancelled each other out. Three minutes from time Bellei found himself facing goal, but his weak effort went straight down the middle and gave Khautov no trouble. The match ended goalless, before Spartak won a marathon penalty shootout, although that will matter only if the teams finish level on points. Atalanta currently lead their group with four points, but whether they actually finish top depends on the result of Spartak Moscow–Maribor. The Slovenian side can finish no higher than second in the group.
Under the Honvéd Cup rules, every match is followed by penalties, with three kicks per team. If there is still no winner, the shootout continues in sudden-death format. This only becomes relevant if teams finish level on points. The final ranking is decided first by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, and only after that by the results of the post-match penalty shootouts.
HONVÉD CUP, 2025/26, GROUP A, ROUND 2
Atalanta BC–FC Spartak Moscow 0–0 (0–0)
Budapest Honvéd Academy, 100 spectators. Referee: Gergely Gyana (Ádám Molnár, Domonkos Salamon).
Atalanta: Ghezzi – Danza (Arzuffi, – at half-time), Fradegrada (Giachetti, 52.), Turla, Ferrararesso – Prendi (Zanotti, 52.), Morandin (Damioli, 43.), Bostaelli (Merelli, – at half-time) – Magrin (Montalbano, – at half-time), Giustacchini Ribeiro (Carone, 43.), Bellei. Head coach: Alfonso Esposito
Spartak Moscow: Khautov – Trofimov, Bojko, Titarenko, Serkin – Jegorov – Abubakirov, Katajev (Parfenov, 48.), Smirnov – Dzhingazijev (Zavjalov, 55.), Avdejev (Prokhorenko, 40.). Head coach: Aleksandr Ivantsov
