Played
February 22, 2012 4:00 AM EST
Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki — Moskva
Referee:‬ B. Kuipers‎
Attendance:‬ 70000‎
 
Top of the Match
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid CF
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid CF
Flop of the Match
Zoran Tosic
Zoran Tosic
CSKA Moscow
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid CF

CSKA Moscow 1-1 Real Madrid: Stoppage-time equaliser from Wernbloom cancels out Ronaldo opener and gives Russians battling draw

Late drama at a packed Luzhniki Stadium as Leonid Slutsky's men strike at the death to deny the Spanish giants what looked to be a certain victory

By Martin Macdonald

Champions League: PFC CSKA Moskva v Real Madrid CF: Sami Khedira; Alan Dzagoev
Getty
A dramatic late equaliser from Pontus Wernbloom cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half strike as CSKA Moscow drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday evening, to leave this last-16 Champions League tie evenly poised.

The January signing volleyed home with seconds remaining to send the stadium into raptures and deny Jose Mourinho's men, who looked certain to take a lead back to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg.

The hosts, amidst freezing conditions in the Russian capital, made a positive start to the match, with Seydou Doumbia and Ahmed Musa looking dangerous. Their electric pace and dribbling ability was obvious, but no clear-cut chances were created and Madrid began to impose themselves on the game.

The ascendancy of the visitors stalled slightly, though, due to an injury to Karim Benzema a quarter of an hour into play. The Frenchman went down innocuously and had to be withdrawn due to what appeared to be a groin problem.

Mourinho's side then had a great chance to take the lead but were denied by a terrific double save from Sergey Chepchugov. Gonzalo Higuain, Benzema's replacement, latched onto a loose ball just outside the box and lashed a left-footed shot at goal that was palmed away by the CSKA goalkeeper, who got up instantly to tip Sami Khedira's rebound over the bar.

The breakthrough did eventually come for Real Madrid, through good work from Portuguese pair Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao.

The left-back found himself in an advanced position down the wing and whipped a cross to the back post which proved too much for Zoran Tosic, who awkwardly headed the ball into the path of Ronaldo. The Madrid talisman showed great composure to drill a left-footed half-volley at goal, which squeezed past the glove of Chepchugov.

The second half saw the Real Madrid defence looking relatively comfortable, as the hosts struggled to break through a solid back line.

Chances were at a premium, but the Spanish outfit had an excellent opportunity to double their lead in the 75th minute and it took another good save from Chepchugov kept his side in the match. Ronaldo broke the CSKA offside trap and ran through on goal attempting to take the ball around the goalkeeper, who remained big to make an important block.

Ronaldo again should have doubled his tally seven minutes from time when he found himself with plenty of space on the edge of the box, but dragged his shot wide of the left-hand post.

The win looked to be in the bag for Real Madrid, but CSKA had other ideas. In the last minute of injury time, Alexey Berezutski got on the end of a deep cross to head the ball back into the danger area of the Madrid box, and Wernbloom was there to smash home from seven yards.

The tie between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid is perfectly poised for the second leg two weeks from now at Santiago Bernabeu, and although the hosts will certainly be buoyed by the manner of their equaliser, the Spanish still hold the advantage of a precious away goal.



CSKA Moscow

1
Sergey Chepchugov
Goalkeeper
3.0
4
2.5
6
2.5
24
2.5
42
2.5
10
Alan Dzagoev
Midfielder
2.5
21
Zoran Tosic
Midfielder
82′
2.0
22
Evgeni Aldonin
Midfielder
68′
2.5
16
Pontus Wernbloom
Midfielder
67′ 93′
3.0
8
3.0
23
Ahmed Musa
Striker
64′
2.5

Real Madrid CF

3.0
1
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper
3.5
3
Pepe
Defender
3.0
4
Sergio Ramos
Defender
72′
3.0
15
Fabio Coentrao
Defender
82′
2.5
17
Arbeloa
Defender
3.0
6
Sami Khedira
Midfielder
3.0
10
Mesut Özil
Midfielder
85′
3.0
14
Xabi Alonso
Midfielder
46′
2.5
21
Callejón
Striker
75′
3.5
7
Cristiano Ronaldo
Midfielder
28′
2.5
9
Karim Benzema
Striker
16′

Substitutes

95
Sergei Revyakin
Goalkeeper
-
2
-
7
Keisuke Honda
Midfielder
68′
2.5
25
Elver Rahimic
Midfielder
-
26
2.5
-
In-Sung Kim
Midfielder
-
89
Tomas Necid
Striker
82′
2.5

Substitutes

-
13
Adán
Goalkeeper
-
2
-
12
Marcelo
Defender
2.5
18
3.0
8
Kaká
Midfielder
75′
-
11
3.0
20

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
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  • Substitution OUT
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  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
14 4
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern
13 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
10 2
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
7 0
Didier Drogba Didier Drogba
Striker
Chelsea
6 0