CSKA Denies Real Away Victory: UEFA Champions League

Coach Jose Mourinho and his Real Madrid players were last night in Moscow denied the opportunity of going into the second leg of the round of 16 matches of the European Champions League at the Bernabeu with the comfort of a first leg victory by hosts CSKA Moscow.

In the first leg match played under extreme cold conditions last night, Real was coasting to a lone goal victory, courtesy of a 28th minute Cristiano Ronaldo strike before the homers equalized at the very last minute.

Real was less than 30 seconds from the three minutes added time and the referee’s final whistle before Wernbloom’s half volley off a poor clearance by Xabi Alonso beat Iker Casillas to send the Muskovites into celebration.

Indeed, Real had dominated the game with 13 shots at goal to CSKA’s eight but had the homer’s goalkeeper standing between them and more goals.

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa had a lively game for the Russians before being substituted.

Coach Mourinho will now hope to finish off the work back home at the Bernabeu when CSKA calls for the return leg.