Kuzmin seals Rubin progression against Wigan

FC Rubin Kazan booked their place in the knockout stages with a 1-0 victory against Wigan Athletic FC.

Kurban Berdyev's men knew a home victory would secure progress from Group D with two matches to spare, and they were on course from the 22nd minute when Oleg Kuzmin opened the scoring. With the lead established, Rubin's defence then ensured they would remain unbreached for the rest of the evening.

The breakthrough was the first moment of substance in the contest. Bebras Natcho dropped deep to assert his creative authority and conjured a piercing through ball down the right channel. Kuzmin strode onto the pass before driving his shot low across Lee Nicholls – the full-back becoming the eighth different Rubin scorer in the group stage already.

The Tatarstantsi had won their last seven European games at the Centralniy Stadion without conceding and the closest Wigan came to ending that resistance in the opening period was when Ryan Shotton's inswinging free-kick just evaded the far post after dipping past a number of onrushing visiting attackers.

Owen Coyle sent on Nick Powell – Wigan's goalscorer in the 1-1 draw between the sides two weeks ago – on the hour as they sought more incisiveness going forward, but chances were still at a premium for the visitors. Their best opportunity arrived seven minutes from time, but Roger Espinoza's cross was headed against the bar by Thomas Rogne and the Latics were condemned to a first defeat in the section.