Moscow-based club Rodina secured promotion to the Russian Premier League (RPL) for the first time in their history after a decisive 2-0 victory over Chelyabinsk in the 33rd round of the First League.
Goals from Ivan Timoshenko (25th minute) and Artur Garybyan (88th minute) sealed the win. With 65 points, Rodina moved to the top of the First League standings, guaranteeing at least second place with one round remaining. Voronezh’s Fakel, also on 65 points, had already secured their spot in the RPL earlier.
The relegation play-off zone includes Yekaterinburg’s Ural (58 points) and Volgograd’s Rotor (53 points).
Rodina was founded on the basis of the Rodina Academy and was licensed to compete in the Russian PFL (now Second League) in 2019. The club is owned by billionaire Sergei Lomakin, co-founder of the discount retail chain Fix Price. This marks the team’s first ever appearance in Russia’s top football division.
Rodina plays its home matches at the Arena Khimki, and the head coach is Spaniard Juan Díaz.