Astana secured a comeback victory over Okzhetpes 2:1 at the Astana Arena, pulling eight points clear in the bronze medal race. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Before the match, both teams observed a minute of silence in memory of Alexander Lisin, a former renowned footballer who had been nurturing young talent in the FC Astana system.

The visitors opened the scoring on 20 minutes through Ukrainian defender Boris Lototsky. However, before the break, Croats Bartolets and Tomasov put the hosts ahead. Grigory Babayan's side held on for the win.

Match results

⚽ ASTANA – OKZHETPES (Kokshetau) 2:1 (2:1). Goals: Lototsky 20 (0:1), Bartolets 28 (1:1), Tomasov 40 (2:1)

⚽ YELIMAY (Semey) – IRTYSH (Pavlodar) 3:1 (0:0). Goals: Sviridov 73 (1:0), Mitten Dorfer 77 own goal (1:1), Bakhtiyarov 80 (2:1), Omatai 90+2 (3:1). Sent off: Mamadu (I, 82)

⚽ ATYRAU – AKTOBE 1:1 (1:0). Goals: Maksimovich 37 (1:0), Sosa 75 (1:1)

⚽ ALTAI (Ust-Kamenogorsk) – KYZYLZHAR (Petropavlovsk) 2:2 (0:1). Goals: Byortalidi 45 (0:1), Dadaev 62 (1:1), Dzhambor 78 (2:1), Begre 90+3 (2:2)

⚽ ZHETYSU (Taldykorgan) – ORDABASY (Shymkent) 0:4 (0:1). Goals: E. Astanov 18 (0:1), Leo Natel 46 (0:2), S. Astanov 78 (0:3), Everton 80 (0:4)

⚽ CASPIY (Aktau) – ULYTAU (Zhezkazgan) 1:0 (1:0). Goal: Keba 45. Missed penalty: Abylaikhan (C, 20) wide

Other events

In his first match in charge, Samat Smakov, who replaced Vladimir Cheburin at Atyrau, saw his side draw 1:1 with a formidable Aktobe in Turkestan. The match featured Portuguese winger Nani and Abat Aimbetov. Serbian forward Djordje Maksimovich scored for the nominal hosts on 37 minutes, while Nigerien forward Daniel Sosa equalized for Aktobe on 75 minutes.

In the Yelimay – Irtysh match in Semey, the score remained goalless until the 72nd minute. Ivan Sviridov then scored for the home side, but Slovenian Maj Mitten Dorfer responded with an own goal. Andrey Karpovich's team eventually prevailed 3:1 thanks to goals from Akmal Bakhtiyarov and Miras Omatai.

The matches Kairat – Zhenis and Tobol – Kaisar were postponed due to European competitions. Their new dates in the KPL-2026 calendar will be determined later.

Next round

Matches of the 22nd round of KPL-2026 will be played on August 14 and 15. On Saturday, Kairat – Ulytau, Ordabasy – Altai, Zhenis – Zhetysu, and Kaisar – Aktobe will take place. On Sunday, Kyzylzhar – Astana, Atyrau – Okzhetpes, Irtysh – Tobol, and Caspiy – Yelimay are scheduled.