The third matchday of the 9th Honvéd Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup began with NK Maribor against Spartak Moscow. The stakes were high for the Russians, who knew they needed at least a two-goal victory to overtake Atalanta and earn the chance to play for gold.
The determination of Aleksandr Ivantsov's players was beyond doubt: only a few minutes had passed when well-constructed attacks and individual quality brought them close to scoring. In the third minute Vladimir Smirnov crossed for Aleksandr Avdeev, who turned towards goal but rolled his shot wide. The opening goal – and one of the finest of the tournament – arrived after only seven minutes, when Smirnov finished a superb solo move by rolling the ball into the bottom-left corner. The opposing goalkeeper stretched fully but could not stop the shot.
Although Maribor also went close in the 15th minute, Spartak Moscow enjoyed more possession and created more chances in the first half. Maribor goalkeeper Ismar Klopic made two important saves, while Avdeev also came close to adding his name to the scoresheet late in the half, but the teams eventually went into the break at 1–0. After the restart Vladimir Smirnov doubled his side's lead with a free-kick, a goal that secured their place in the final.
FC Spartak Moscow: Khautov, Serkin, Titarenko, Smirnov, Bojko (Galko 57.), Jegorov, Abubakirov (Parfenov 48.), Katajev, Dzhingazijev, Avdejev (Prokhorenko 31.), Trofimof Head coach: Aleksandr Ivantsov
NK Maribor: Klopic, Perkovic (Skok 55.), Breznik (Kores 55.), Sirec, Hribar, Kristan (Kocbek 50.), Macukat (Lavric 50.), Nuhanovic, Grimm (Rezar 55.), Bartolj (Lazic 31.), Sever (Kirsanov 57.)
Goals: Smirnov (7.), (40.)
