CSKA Moscow recorded a 2-1 win over Sevilla to qualify for quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Keeper's blunder helps Russians record shock victory in Spain
Keisuke Honda's second-half free-kick helped CSKA Moscow pull off a shock 2-1 win over a much-fancied Sevilla side to qualify for the next phase of the UEFA Champions League after a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
The two teams went into the tie at Estadio Ramon Sanchez level at 1-1 and it was the home side who were favourites to go through after the away goal picked up in the first leg, although both teams started at a sluggish pace.
But a dour opening 45 minutes came to life when CSKA went into a shock lead, Tomas Necid dropping his shoulder to find space to slot into the bottom corner for a well taken goal from just outside the area.
The lead lasted just two minutes as the visitors surrendered their advantage in disappointing fashion, a long ball from the Sevilla backline causing confusion between keeper Igor Akinfeev and his defence as Diego Perotti stole in to prod the ball home on 41 minutes.
Leonid Slutsky's side booked their place in the next round 10 minutes after the restart, though, Adres Palop's horrible fumble helping Honda's innocuous looking 30-yard free-kick into the top corner to seal the win for the Russians.
Central figure
Sevilla nearly went ahead in the third minute when Jesus Navas was played in down the right and whipped in a low cross which was not cleared, allowing Luis Fabiano to take a swing only for Igor Akinfeev to make the save smartly.
Deividas Semberas escaped a clear booking when he brought Perotti down on the left wing but only conceded a free-kick while Alexei Berezutsky did get the yellow card moments later when he fouled the same player.
CSKA came close to scoring against the run of play in the 26th minute and Honda was a central figure.
Necid held the ball up and laid it off to Honda, who forced a save from Palop and when the goalkeeper failed to fully deal with it, then dragged his effort on the rebound narrowly wide despite being on the floor.
At the other end Diego Capel wasted a chance when he took a touch of a loose ball before blazing over.
A further spell of Sevilla pressure followed before CSKA took the lead in the 39th minute.
Honda held the ball up after a throw-in and poked it to Necid, who brought it under control before producing a classy right-footed finish to steer the ball beyond Palop and into the net.
Sevilla equalised immediately to make the tie exactly level, however.
Effervescent
A rare long ball was not cleared by the defence, allowing Navas on the right of the area to stab it across for the onrushing Perotti to take a touch and poke home.
Luis Fabiano was booked for using his arm to control the ball early in the second half as Sevilla pressed on.
Navas cut a swathe down the right and could only watch as his whipped-in cross eluded substitute Fredi Kanoute and Perotti with the goal at their mercy.
Again, however, CSKA took the lead against the run of play and Palop was at fault.
The effervescent Honda hit a left-footed free-kick from distance with real power and while the goalkeeper had it covered, he only managed to fist it into his own net to give CSKA the lead - and a crucial second away goal.
Mark Gonzalez - back in Seville having had a spell with Real Betis - was added to the referee's notebook for a ludicrous lunge on Navas then soon broke down the left and nearly scored, but allowed Palop to come out and claim.
Luis Fabiano nearly ground out a goal in the 78th minute but failed to capitalise on the chance as Sevilla - needing to score twice - seemed to accept the inevitable.
| Sevilla |
Team Statistics |
CSKA Moscow |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 6 |
Corners |
2 |
| 14 |
Fouls |
21 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 76.1 |
Passing Success |
76.9 |
| 27 |
Tackles |
20 |
| 63 |
Tackles Success |
75 |
| 52.6 |
Possession |
47.4 |
| 58 |
Territorial Advantage |
42 |
|
