FC Zenit maintained their 100% record of advancing to the last 16 since the introduction of the group stage in 2004/05 after completing a 4-0 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven.
Guarding a 1-0 advantage from last week’s round of 32 first leg meeting, the hosts – who have won all eight home games in the competition now – seized control of the tie in the first half and sealed their progress with two more after the interval.
The Dutch visitors suffered a blow to their European hopes midway through the first half as Zenit took the lead via José Rondón’s cool finish before Hulk – scorer of the decisive goal in the Netherlands – struck a fine second from distance after the break. Rondón ensured his side eased through with his second after 67 minutes.
André Villas-Boas’s charges applied a positive approach to the game as PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet was called into action twice during the opening exchanges. Rondón’s ninth-minute strike was rebuffed by Zoet before Hulk tested the 24-year-old with a right-footed effort.
With Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jetro Willems – influential in the Boeren’s ten-game league winning streak – being kept quiet by the Russian side, the visitors struggle to make an impression. Indeed, Zenit would exploit their strong start by scoring the opener. Sine-belo-golubye skipper Danny found Venezuelan striker Rondón in space and the No23 broke the deadlock, applying a calm left-footed finish from inside the area with 29 minutes gone. Moments later, centre-back Ezequiel Garay missed a wonderful opportunity to double the advantage – firing over from close range after a flick-on at a corner.
Seeking a response in the second half, Phillip Cocu’s men suffered a further setback. Hulk, a constant menace for the visitors in St Petersburg, hit a powerful right-footed strike from distance in the 48th-minute. Just 13 minutes later, PSV were presented with a glorious chance to begin the recovery via a penalty. However, home custodian Yuri Lodygin saved Luuk de Jong’s spot kick. Progress would be secured with over 20 minutes remaining as Rondón pounced on a rebound after Zoet failed to hold Hulk’s powerful drive.
