Benfica v CSKA Moscow
Timur Zhamaletdinov rallies CSKA Moscow to victory at Benfica
CSKA Moscow forward Timur Zhamaletdinov made a memorable Champions League debut on Tuesday by scoring the winner in a 2-1 comeback victory at Benfica in Group A.
The 20-year-old substitute was on hand to prod in a rebound in the 73rd minute, four minutes into his first Champions League game.
The chance came after a ball over the top found CSKA defender Viktor Vasin in the opposition box. Vasin turned and shot, showing off skills more typical of a striker, and goalkeeper Bruno Varela could only parry the ball to the feet of Zhamaletdinov.
CSKA had to rally from 1-0 down after Haris Seferovic gave Benfica the lead in the 50th minute, beating CSKA defender Alexei Berezutsky to a cross at the near post from Richairo Zivkovic.
The Russian team hit back in the 63rd when Vitinho blasted the ball into the top-left corner from the penalty spot, after a hotly disputed hand-ball call against Andre Almeida.
After Zhamaletdinov put the Russian team ahead, Benfica pushed forward in search of an equalier, but couldn't break down CSKA's defense.
The win is a boost to CSKA's hopes of ending a four-season run of finishing last in their Champions League group.
Game Information
UEFA Champions League Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | +19 | 24 |
| Bayern München | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 21 |
| Liverpool | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | +12 | 18 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +10 | 17 |
| Barcelona | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +8 | 16 |
| Chelsea | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +7 | 16 |
| Sporting CP | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +6 | 16 |
| Manchester City | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +6 | 16 |
| Real Madrid | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | +9 | 15 |
| Internazionale | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | +8 | 15 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +10 | 14 |
| Newcastle United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +10 | 14 |
| Juventus | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +4 | 13 |
| Atlético de Madrid | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 13 |
| Atalanta | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 12 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +2 | 11 |
| Olympiacos | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 11 |
| Club Brugge | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 10 |
| Galatasaray | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 10 |
| AS Monaco | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -6 | 10 |
| FK Qarabag | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -8 | 10 |
| Bodo/Glimt | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| Benfica | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -2 | 9 |
| Marseille | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -3 | 9 |
| Pafos | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 9 |
| Union St.-Gilloise | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -9 | 9 |
| PSV Eindhoven | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Athletic Club | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -5 | 8 |
| Napoli | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -6 | 8 |
| F.C. København | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -9 | 8 |
| Ajax Amsterdam | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -13 | 6 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -11 | 4 |
| Slavia Prague | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -14 | 3 |
| Villarreal | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -13 | 1 |
| Kairat Almaty | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -15 | 1 |
UEFA Champions League News
