CSKA Moscow completed a Champions League group-stage double over Real Madrid by recording a 3-0 victory over the European champions at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid had already qualified for the round of 16 as winners of Group G, but the three points were not enough to help CSKA take third position ahead of Viktoria Plzen as the Czech outfit beat Roma to secure the Europa League spot.
It is the first time in history that Real Madrid have lost a European home tie by more than three goals, and the manner of the defeat will be a concern ahead of the last-16 stage of the competition.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of the action below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Champions League Group G clash between Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow from the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have already secured first position in the section, having won four of their five group matches to date. Roma have also booked their spot in the next round as runners-up, leaving CSKA to battle Viktoria Plzen for the Europa League position. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
Tonight will be just the fourth ever meeting between the two teams. The pair also locked horns during the last-16 stage of the 2011-12 Champions League, and Real Madrid ran out 5-2 winners, which included a 4-1 success at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid's only defeat (1-0) in Group G came away at CSKA at the start of October, and the European Cup holders might well have revenge on their minds tonight. CSKA were impressive during the clash in Russia.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Bernabeu. Just how strong are Real Madrid tonight? Let's run through the XIs...
TEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Odriozola, Vallejo, Sanchez, Marcelo; Valverde, Llorente, Isco; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius
CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Magnusson, Becao, Nababkin, Shchennikov; Oblyakov, Bistrovic, Vlasic; Chalov, Sigurdsson
As expected, Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari has rung the changes. Jesus Vallejo, Javi Sanchez and Marcelo come into the back four, while Federico Valverde, Isco, Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior also come into the XI. It is far from a second-string XI though with Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema also included. Gareth Bale is among the substitutes at the Bernabeu.
As for CSKA, Fedor Chalov is the team's leading scorer with 10 goals this season, and the 20-year-old will be joined in the XI by on-loan Everton attacker Nikola Vlasic. CSKA will again be without the services of Ilzat Akhmetov, Alan Dzagoev, Viktor Vasin and Aleksandr Makarov, but Abel Hernandez is on the bench having returned from injury against Yenisey at the weekend.
Real Madrid have had their problems in La Liga this season, but they have once again been impressive in the Champions League - winning four of their five group matches to collect 12 points. Indeed, their 2-0 win over Roma last time out secured first spot in the section.
The defeat to CSKA in Russia was just Real Madrid's fifth loss in their last 38 European matches home and away, and they are, of course, chasing a fourth straight Champions League crown. It is very difficult to imagine that occurring, but Los Blancos simply cannot be written off.
The Spanish giants have actually won 36 of their last 44 home Champions League matches, suffering just two defeats. Meanwhile, they have not lost at home to Russian visitors since March 1991, when Spartak Moscow recorded a 3-1 win in the European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-final.
Santiago Solari has now won eight of his nine matches in charge of Real Madrid, with the only blemish on his record a 3-0 defeat at Eibar on November 24. Since then, the capital outfit have overcome Roma, Valencia, Melilla and Huesca across three separate competitions.
Sunday's 1-0 win over Huesca moved Real Madrid to within five points of La Liga leaders Barcelona, but it was far from a convincing performance from Los Blancos, who only just squeezed past the league's basement side with an excellent volley from Gareth Bale.
Solari's team will host CSKA and Rayo Vallecano in their next two matches before heading off to the United Arab Emirates for the Club World Cup, and they will be looking for success in that competition once again. Kickoff at the Bernabeu is now just about 30 minutes away!
CSKA have picked up four points from their five group matches to sit bottom of the section. The Russian giants are level with third-placed Viktoria Plzen, however, meaning that the Europa League spot in the section is very much open ahead of tonight's final two group matches.
Viktoria Plzen have the superior head-to-head record over CSKA, meaning that the Russian side must pick up more points than the Czech champions in order to finish second.
Real Madrid are the strong favourites to emerge victorious, but CSKA have actually triumphed on two of their last three trips to Spain, which includes victories over Sevilla and Barcelona. CSKA finished third behind Manchester United and Basel in the group stages of last season's competition, and went on to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League before losing to Arsenal.
In terms of recent form, the Russian giants will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 victory over Yenisey in the league at the weekend, which left them third in the table. There is a four-point gap to leaders Zenit St Petersburg, while Krasnodar currently occupy second position in the top flight.
CSKA's 2-1 defeat to Viktoria Plzen in their last group match is their only loss in their last five matches in all competitions, and having already overcome Real Madrid in this season's competition, there is no question that Viktor Goncharenko's side have the credentials to triumph.
Even a point might be enough to secure third position in the group, although that scenario would rely on Roma overcoming Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic. Plenty still to decide.
As mentioned, tonight will be just the fourth ever meeting between the two teams. The pair also locked horns during the last-16 stage of the 2011-12 Champions League, and Real Madrid ran out 5-2 winners, which included a 4-1 success at the Bernabeu. Will that be repeated?
A reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Odriozola, Vallejo, Sanchez, Marcelo; Valverde, Llorente, Isco; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius
CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Magnusson, Becao, Nababkin, Shchennikov; Oblyakov, Bistrovic, Vlasic; Chalov, Sigurdsson
Little over five minutes until kickoff at the Bernabeu, and there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium. It will be very interesting to see what type of match we get in the Spanish capital.
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Just a reminder that CSKA are battling Viktoria Plzen for the Europa League spot in the group.
KICKOFF: CSKA kick things off here...
... there are a lot of empty seats at the Bernabeu, but there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium. I am expecting an open match as Real Madrid have so many attackers on the field.
SAVE! First take for Akinfeev as he collects an effort from Valverde.
The CSKA fans are in fine voice at the moment, and their team have started quite well. Chalov has been joined in the final third by Sigurdsson, with Hernandez on the bench for the visitors.
CSKA continue to make ground at the Bernabeu, with Vlasic seeing a lot of the ball in the final third. Real Madrid only really have Llorente who is defensive-minded in their front six.
Marcelo finds space in a wide position before delivering towards Benzema, but Becao is on hand to make the clearance. The home side regain the ball and build again though.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Well, we are still waiting for the first serious attempt of the match. It remains an open game though, with both teams committing players in the final third of the field. CSKA have settled quite well on the ball.
Possession football from Real Madrid at the moment here.
Odriozola does well to make space in a wide position before looking to deliver, but Fernandes does very well to make the clearance, and CSKA can clear the resulting corner kick.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois has to come out and challenge Chalov as the CSKA forward races away from the Real Madrid defence. Chalov, who is CSKA's leading scorer, has been bright in the first 17 minutes. We are still waiting for the first chance of the match though.
Smart work from Vinicius in a wide position as he shows an excellent touch before delivering a low cross towards Benzema, but the ball just runs away from the Frenchman.
Still goalless between Plzen and Roma in the group's other match. Just a reminder that CSKA are battling Plzen to finish third and secure a spot in the next round of the Europa League.
SAVE! Smart save from Akinfeev to keep out a strike from Vinicius!
OFF THE BAR! Asensio's effort from inside the box hits the top of the CSKA crossbar!
Better from Real Madrid at the moment as they work the ball with more pace.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Llorente is fouled by Vlasic...
... Isco's free kick is straight into the wall.
SAVE! Another super save from Akinfeev to keep out a dipping Asensio strike!
Super block from Becao to deny Benzema!
Real Madrid are very much on the front foot at the moment as we approach the latter stages of the first period. Not an awful lot from CSKA over the last 10 minutes or so.
SAVE! Akinfeev makes a comfortable save to keep out an effort from Asensio.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and CSKA are starting to see more of the ball again. A corner from Vlasic comes into the home side's box, but Magnusson fails to connect.
Fernandes delivers a dangerous low cross into the Real Madrid box, but Vallejo makes the clearance. The home side then break through Isco, but the attack ends with no damage.
Vinicius has been the pick of the Real Madrid attackers in the first period, although Asensio has had the home side's two best chances. Still goalless as we approach the interval.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 CSKA (CHALOV)
Breakthrough CSKA! The visitors take the lead in the 37th minute as Chalov works some space in a dangerous position before expertly placing the ball in the far corner of the net!
Just a reminder that CSKA also beat Real Madrid in Russia, meaning that they are chasing a double against the European champions. I am sure the scoring is not finished here though.
Real Madrid have another free kick just outside the CSKA box...
... Asensio's dangerous free kick is headed behind for a Real Madrid corner.
Real Madrid continue to attack the goal where the majority of their vocal supporters are. CSKA remain nice and compact at the back though, and continue to carry a threat down the other end.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-2 CSKA (SCHENNIKOV)
CSKA double their advantage as Schennikov pokes home from close range after Courtois had kept out a strike from Fernandes. Huge moment for the Russian side before the interval.
HALF TIME: REAL MADRID 0-2 CSKA
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with CSKA leading Real Madrid 2-0 courtesy of goals from Chalov and Schennikov. CSKA are battling Plzen for the Europa League position in the group, and they are in charge at this stage of the night.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid had 62% of the ball in the first period - managing nine attempts, but just five of those were on target. CSKA, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their seven attempts. No yellow cards to report in Madrid - it has not been that type of game to be honest.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a number of big-hitters on their bench tonight, with Bale, Kroos, Modric and Lucas all available. As for CSKA, the likes of Chernov, Hernandez and Kuchaev are in reserve. Plenty of talent on both benches at the Bernabeu tonight.
KICKOFF: Real Madrid resume the action here...
... REAL MADRID SUB! Bale has replaced Benzema at the break.
It would be some story if CSKA could complete a Champions League group-stage double over Real Madrid, who were poor at the weekend and have again been disappointing tonight.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Real Madrid do seem to have more attacking intent. The hosts need a quick-fire answer here.
SHOT! Vinicius curls one wide of the far post after smart work out wide.
Too easy for CSKA as Fernandes is allowed to break into a wide position before delivering low into the box, but Llorente makes the clearance. A third for CSKA would be curtains here.
SHOT! Isco fires wide of the post as Real Madrid have another half-chance to register.
REAL MADRID SUB! Kroos replaces Llorente for the home side.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and CSKA still lead 2-0 in Madrid. The home side are having plenty of the ball, but are struggling to carve out clear chances here.
No movement on the CSKA bench at the moment, but we are entering the stage of the match where the Russian outfit will be thinking about alterations. There are some tired legs out there.
SHOT! Vlasic sees a low strike miss the Real Madrid post.
Mix-up at the back for CSKA, but Becao's header drops over his own crossbar.
Little under 25 minutes of this European tie remaining, and CSKA still have a two-goal advantage, which is incredible. The Bernabeu crowd are not very happy at the moment.
Bale is down for Real Madrid here, and there is concern.
Bale looks to have turned his ankle, and surely cannot continue.
Real Madrid play with 10 men while Bale is assessed here.
Bale is going to come back on and see how he goes here.
Bale is not moving very well; he will have to be replaced.
The Welshman is still trying to move on that bad ankle, which seems pointless. It will not be the end of the world if Real Madrid lose this match. There are bigger fish to fry that is for sure.
Bale is on the touchline looking for some strapping. Surely the change has to be made.
SAVE! Akinfeev keeps out a deflected effort from Valverde.
Bale seems to be moving a lot better, but he will be doing more damage if there is some ligament damage there. Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining here.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-3 CSKA (SIGURDSSON)
CSKA score their third of the match as Sigurdsson bends one into the bottom corner!
REAL MADRID SUB! Carvajal replaces Marcelo for the home side.
Plzen are beating Roma, which means that CSKA will remain bottom as things stand. That would be tough to take - beating Real Madrid and then still not finishing in third position.
CSKA need Roma to fight back against Plzen, and there is still time for that to happen. Little over 10 minutes of football in Madrid, and it is an incredible scoreline in the capital.
Not too much happening at the moment; Real Madrid are shell-shocked here.
YELLOW CARD! Schennikov (CSKA) is booked for a foul on Bale.
Real Madrid are on the front foot at the moment, but not too much is happening.
CSKA SUB! Hernandez replaces Chalov for the away side.
CSKA are really, really comfortable. Real Madrid do not seem too bothered here.
CLOSE! Asensio just misses the crossbar with a strike from a narrow angle.
CSKA continue to clear their lines as we approach the full-time whistle.
CSKA SUB! Kuchaev replaces Oblyakov for the away side.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
CSKA race clear down the left with Vlasic, and we are into the final seconds of this game.
CSKA SUB! Sigurdsson is replaced by Nishimura.
FULL TIME: REAL MADRID 0-3 CSKA
CSKA Moscow have completed a Champions League group-stage double over Real Madrid by recording a 3-0 victory over the European champions at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Real Madrid had already qualified for the round of 16 as winners of Group G, but the three points were not enough to help CSKA take third position ahead of Viktoria Plzen as the Czech outfit beat Roma to secure the Europa League spot. Thanks for joining our live coverage once again!
