Zenit beats Dinamo Makhachkala in a friendly (2-0) with goals from Wendel
According to Championat.
Why this matters
Zenit's victory over Dinamo Makhachkala in a friendly is a positive sign for the team, which is preparing for the new Russian League season. With a solid performance, the Saint Petersburg team demonstrated its ability to control the game, which is crucial to its success in the official competition. Goals from Wendel and Gustavo Mantuan not only secured the victory, but also helped to boost the squad's confidence.
Main conclusions
- Zenit beats Dinamo Makhachkala in a friendly (2-0) with goals from Wendel.
- Zenit defeated Dinamo Makhachkala 2-0 in a friendly played in Saint Petersburg, with goals from Wendel and Gustavo Mantuan.
- Вендел remains central to Зенит's plans.
Zenit Saint Petersburg beat Dinamo Makhachkala 2-0, in a preparatory game played on July 1, 2026, at the Smena Stadium, in Saint Petersburg. The Sene-Belo-Azul team, Russian champions in 2025/26, entered with intensity and resolved early, later managing the match until confirming the triumph in the final stretch.
The first goal arrived after just 3 minutes, through Wendel. The Brazilian midfielder appeared in an advanced zone and finished effectively to open the scoring, giving the home team an advantage in the early stages of the game. Zenit maintained territorial control and possession, conditioning Dinamo Makhachkala and limiting their attempts at goal danger.
Close to the final whistle, in the 85th minute, Gustavo Mantuan closed the score. The Zenit forward was called on the 11 meter mark and didn't flinch when converting the penalty, making it 2-0 and ensuring that the Saint Petersburg team left Smena with a clear victory in this pre-season test.
It was an important friendly in the preparation calendar for the Russian champions, who are looking to fine-tune their processes and competitive rhythm before officially returning to competition. Remember that Zenit won the title of the 2025/26 season of the Russian Premier League, confirming the gold in the last (30th) game of the championship, beating Rostov 1-0. This private period therefore serves to give the squad minutes, test solutions and integrate reinforcements or young players from the training.
The month of July in Saint Petersburg also has three friendly matches for the Sene-belo-azuz. On July 5th, Zenit will face Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (Argentina). This is followed, on July 8th, by a duel with Neftchi Fergana (Uzbekistan), and, on July 12th, by a demanding test against Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda, Serbia). All of these meetings are scheduled for the city of Saint Petersburg, keeping Sergei Semak's team close to their training base.
On the other hand, Dinamo Makhachkala, emblem of the city of Dagestan, took advantage of the trip to gain competitiveness against a larger opponent in the Russian context. Despite the visiting effort, Wendel's early and Mantuan's late goals made the difference in a game with no points in dispute, but with obvious utility for both teams at this stage of the season.
With 2-0, Zenit achieved a positive result and confidently moves on to the next challenges of its summer preparation plan, where it will seek to consolidate ideas and competitive rhythm before the official start of the new season.
What happens next
Zenit will continue its preparation with three more friendlies scheduled for July, including clashes against Gimnasia de La Plata and Crvena Zvezda. These games are essential for the coach to test different formations and integrate new players into the squad. The way the team performs in these matches can have a significant impact on its performance in the next season of the Russian League.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Zenit and Dinamo Makhachkala?
Zenit beat Dinamo Makhachkala 2-0.
Who scored the goals in the game Zenit vs Dinamo Makhachkala?
The goals were scored by Wendel and Gustavo Mantuan.
What is the impact of this game on the Russian League standings?
This game was a friendly and does not impact the Russian League rankings.
When is Zenit's next game?
Zenit's next game is against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata on July 5th.
How many friendly games does Zenit have scheduled for July?
Zenit has three friendly matches scheduled for July.