CSKA Moscow saw their lead cut to four points after they were held to a 2-2 draw against local rivals Spartak Moscow, coupled with Zenit St. Petersburg's late win over FK Krasnodar.
CSKA Moscow stretched their lead at the head of the Russian Premier League to seven points after a 1-0 home win over Krasnodar, while closest rivals Anzhi Makhachkala stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Krylya Sovetov.
CSKA Moscow climbed to top of the table in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Volga Nizhny Novgorod while Brazilian star Hulk opened his Russian Premier League goalscoring account.
Zenit St Petersburg lost their 100 percent record in the Russian first division when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Anzhi Makhachkala.
Argentina and Brazil won in Germany and Sweden respectively, while Belgium, England and Switzerland also posted impressive victories on a night when the tenures of Didier Deschamps, Louis van Gaal and Fabio Capello began.
Fabio Capello's first match in charge of Russia ended in a 1-1 draw with Côte d'Ivoire after Max Gradel equalised an opener from Alan Dzagoev.
