Zenit St Petersburg's Russian goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk in action during the UEFA Champions League football match between Zenit St Petersburg and Malmo FF in Saint Petersburg on Sept 29, 2021. (OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP)

ST PETERSBURG, Russia - Zenit St Petersburg notched the first win of their Champions League Group H campaign with a 4-0 victory over Swedish side Malmo FF, who had Anel Ahmedhodzic sent off as they slumped to their second defeat in a row in the competition.

Zenit’s Aleksei Sutormin scored in the 80th and Wendel added another in stoppage time to make it two consecutive defeats for bottom side Malmo

The Russian side, who lost 1-0 at holders Chelsea in their opening game, took the lead in the ninth minute when Brazilians Douglas Santos and Claudinho combined for the latter to fire home a superb first-time finish.

Malmo captain Andreas Christiansen had a glorious chance to net Malmo’s first goal in the group stage 10 minutes later, but he blazed his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

ALSO READ: Real stunned in 2-1 home defeat by Moldovans Sheriff

The Swedes found themselves two down four minutes after the break as Yaroslav Rakitskyy twisted and turned before crossing for Daler Kuzyaev to send a looping header beyond the dive of Johan Dahlin and into the net.

Any slim hopes Malmo had of making a comeback were dashed four minutes later when centre-back Ahmedhodzic was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate handball.

Zenit’s Aleksei Sutormin scored in the 80th and Wendel added another in stoppage time to make it two consecutive defeats for bottom side Malmo and move Zenit level on three points with Juventus and Chelsea who meet in Turin later on Wednesday.