CSKA Moscow picked up their first points of this season's Champions League on Tuesday night as they beat Viktoria Plzen 3-2 in Group D.
Frantisek Rajtoral gave the visitors an early lead before goals from Zoran Tosic and Keisuke Honda put CSKA 2-1 up at the break.
An own goal from Radim Reznik extended the home side's advantage in the second half, but Plzen were handed a lifeline late on through Marek Bakos.
However, CSKA were able to hang on for the final few moments to claim the spoils.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of tonight's clash between CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen in Group D of the Champions League.
There was plenty of action in last night's fixtures, so here's hoping for another great evening in the Champions League.
These two teams both lost their opening matches in this year's tournament, so both should be going all out for a win tonight. However, their task is made just that little bit harder with Bayern Munich and Manchester City expected to go through to the next round.
CSKA went down 3-0 at Bayern Munich two weeks ago as goals from Alaba, Mandzukic and Robben helped the defending champions get their title defence off to an emphatic start.
Meanwhile, Plzen were soundly beaten 3-0 at home to Manchester City. Dzeko, Toure and Aguero got the goals for the Premier League side as they enjoyed a successful night in the Czech Republic.
With those results in mind, remember that you will be able to follow live text coverage when Manchester City take on Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium tonight. That one is sure to be a cracker.
Looks like we've got some team news for you...
CSKA: Akinfeev, Ignashevich, A Berezutskiy, Nababkin, Schennikov, Wernbloom, Honda, S Zuber, Elm, Tosic, Musa
PLZEN: Kozacik, Hubnik, Reznik, Prochazka, Rajtoral, Horava, Horvarth, Petrzela, Kovarik, Kolar, Bakos
If you missed CSKA's defeat to Bayern Munich two weeks ago, then here are some highlights to get stuck into. Excuse the foreign commentary...
Similarly, here are the highlights of Manchester City's 3-0 triumph over Plzen. Enjoy:
So, how have these two teams been doing domestically this season? Well, Russian champions CSKA are not having the best of times in the Premier League as they sit in fourth place, five points off leaders Zenit St Petersburg.
Czech champions Plzen are enjoying slightly better fortunes as they are second in their table, four points off Sparta Prague.
FORM GUIDE:
CSKA: WWLLDL
PLZEN: WWDLDW
As you can see, both sides come into tonight's match in pretty indifferent form...
HEAD TO HEAD: Interestingly enough, this is the first time that these teams have ever met in any competition. Furthermore, it's the first time that Plzen have ever played in Russia.
Whatever happens tonight, one gets the feeling that these two are playing for a place in the Europa League later down the line.
With just under 10 minutes until this one gets underway, how do you think the match will go? CSKA are sure to be favourites, but Plzen are likely yo have more confidence due to their current form.
The players are out on the pitch, with the start of the match just moments away...
The pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Plzen to get us underway. Here we go!
It's safe to say that CSKA are dominating so far. The hosts are keeping the ball well and are closing down quickly when they don't have it.
GOAL! CSKA 0-1 PLZEN (RAJTORAL)
What was that about CSKA dominating? Against the run of play Plzen take the lead thanks to a calm finish from Rajtoral. The ball broke to him in the area following a blocked shot, and he swept it into the net on the angle. What a start for the visitors!
That early goal has somewhat stunned the home side, but it's given Plzen a real lease of life. CSKA are still controlling the majority of possession, though they now look a bit clueless as to what to do with it. If there's one thing on their side then it's time. Still a long way to go in this one.
CSKA are starting to ask a few questions now. Tosic's whipped cross is headed away before Zuber tries to create something down the left side. However, he is crowded out by two Plzen players and the danger is cleared.
CHANCE! Almost a second goal for Plzen! CSKA goalkeeper Akinfeev gets absolutely nowhere near a cross, allowing Kolar to get his head on the ball. It's not a bad connection, but his effort goes just wide of the post.
CHANCE! Another glorious opportunity for the visitors goes begging as Bakos fires wide. Plzen mounted a brilliant counter-attack there, with Kolar playing in his teammate, but Bakos fired off target with just the goalkeeper to beat. Plzen are looking good at the moment.
GOAL! CSKA 1-1 PLZEN (TOSIC)
CSKA are level and it's former Manchester United winger Tosic who has the goal. Musa did brilliantly there, taking on his man down the left before squaring the ball to his teammate, who saw his shot eventually go over the line thanks to a deflection.
This match is pendulous at the moment, with the momentum swinging one way then the other. Plzen were looking good before the equaliser, but now it's all CSKA.
Honda has a wild attempt on goal for CSKA and duly sees his shot from 30 yards sail high over the crossbar.
This is a very open game indeed now. Tosic surges forward for the home side before laying the ball off the Honda out wide. The Japanese international hooks a cross into the penalty area, but Plzen see off the threat. You would be a fool not to bet on more goals in this match.
GOAL! CSKA 2-1 PLZEN (HONDA)
What a sweet goal from Honda to give CSKA the lead. Tosic kept his composure there, slipping in his teammate in on goal, and Honda flicked the ball nonchalantly past the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net. A fine strike.
The momentum is firnly with CSKA now. Musa breaks and finds Zuber, but his tame effort from 25 yards is easily held by Kozacik.
SAVE! Good stop from Plzen goalkeeper Kozacik, who saw Zuber's low effort very late before turning it around the post. That looked like it was creeping into the bottom corner.
What is evident is that CSKA have far more skilled players than their opponents. Musa, Tosic and Honda all look very silky when on the ball, and they are consistently causing Plzen problems.
CSKA continue to push forward and they win a free kick in a promising position around 35 yards from goal. However, the delivery into the box is a poor one and Plzen clear.
One minute added time.
HALF TIME: CSKA MOSCOW 2-1 VIKTORIA PLZEN
The half-time whistle goes to bring and end to what was, in fairness, an entertaining opening 45 minutes of football. Plzen took an early lead through Rajtoral before goals from Tosic and Honda saw CSKA turn things around.
The momentum continued to swing one way then the other during that opening half, but that only provided plenty of action at both ends of the pitch. CSKA did their fair share of attacking, while Plzen showed little fear when going forward.
CSKA are very much in the driving seat as it stands, but Plzen still have plenty to offer going forward. It would certainly be foolish to bet against any more goals going in, if only for the dodgy defences we've seen so far.
Looking back on that opening 45 minutes, it's unclear whether either manager would be pleased with what they saw. However, CSKA are sure to be the happier of the two changing rooms.
Anyway, the players are back out and the second half is underway.
Not a great deal to report on with regards to the opening few minutes of the half. CSKA seem happy enough in possession for the time being.
OFF THE POST! Just like that, CSKA nearly go 3-1 up. The ball is swept in low into the box towards Musa, but somehow the striker hits the post from six yards out. He really should have scored there.
That early let-off seems to have woken Plzen up. They're now showing a bit more intent going forward.
CHANCE! Plzen come within inches of getting an equaliser through Kolar, who sees his shot blocked almost on the line by Honda. That was definitely going in but for the intervention of the Japanese midfielder.
Elm pumps a decent ball into the Plzen penalty area, only for Berezutski to guide his diving header wide of the post.
CHANCE! Decent opportunity for Plzen to get themselves level as Kolar finds Petrzela inside the box, but he can only hook his effort off target. The visitors aren't giving up just yet.
SUBSTITUTION: CSKA make the first change of the match as Zuber is replaced by Gonzalez.
That decisive pass in the final third is just not happening for either side at the moment. Both teams are showing some neat movement in their build-up play, but that final ball is definitely lacking. As it is, Plzen seem to be on top right now.
A rare opportunity on goal for CSKA comes in the form of Nababkin's effort from just inside the box which flies wide of the post.
SUBSTITUTION: Now it's Plzen who make a change, with Tecl replacing Kovarik. The visitors have 20 minutes to salvage something from this game.
SUBSTITUTION: CSKA make their second swap of the evening as Milanov comes on for Elm, who has only recently returned from injury.
YELLOW CARD: The second booking of the night goes the way of substitute Tecl for for clipping the ankle of an opposition player.
SUBSTITUTION: Plzen make another change as Durik is sent on for Horava. Just over 10 minutes of normal time left.
GOAL! CSKA 3-1 PLZEN (REZNIK OG)
What an absolutely farcical goal for Plzen to concede as CSKA all but wrap up the points. Reznik slips a simple pass back to goalkeeper Kozacik, but the ball rolls under his foot and into the net. Good grief, what a shocker.
That is harsh on Plzen, who have been by far the better team in this second half. The visitors have consistently put pressure on CSKA and looked as if they might grab an equaliser, only for that to happen.
The away side are still battling away, but this match is surely beyond their reach now.
Remember, this has the potential to be a good night for CSKA. If there is a winner in the match later between Manchester City and Bayern Munich, then the Russians will be level on points with the losing side.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change for CSKA sees Musa replaced by Vitinho.
Three minutes added time.
GOAL! CSKA 3-2 PLZEN (BAKOS)
Plzen are given a lifeline thanks to some shoddy goalkeeping from Akinfeev. The CSKA shotstopper made a right hash of a corner, allowing Bakos to head the ball into an empty net.
FULL TIME: CSKA MOSCOW 3-2 VIKTORIA PLZEN
The full-time whistle goes and CSKA Moscow have their first points of this season's Champions League thanks to an entertaining 3-2 win over Viktora Plzen. It was nervy for the home side at the end there, but they held on to take the spoils.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. Don't forget that you can catch live text coverage of all tonight's big Champions League matches on Sports Mole, so have a look around and fill your boots. Thank you very much for your company and enjoy the rest of your evening. Goodnight!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
