CSKA Moscow overcome Red Star Belgrade to reach Europa League last 16

CSKA Moscow have become the first team to enter the hat for the last 16 of the Europa League after overcoming Red Star Belgrade 1-0 on aggregate on Wednesday evening.

The last-32 tie was finely poised following last week's goalless draw in the first leg at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in the Serbian capital.

In the second leg at Moscow's VEB Arena, Alan Dzagoev struck what turned out to be the winner for the Russian giants on the stroke of half time.

CSKA dominated proceedings and, on 35 minutes, Konstantin Kuchaev rifled just wide of the far post from 12 yards out.

Vitinho then fired over the bar from long range in the 44th before Dzagoev succeeded in breaking the deadlock with a close-range finish from Kuchaev's low delivery.

Dzagoev and Vitinho weighed in with further chances in the second half, while at the other end, Aleksandar Pesic and El Fardou Ben Nabouhane spurned good opportunities by firing wide.

CSKA MOSCOW (3-4-3): Akinfeev; Berezutski, Ignashevich, Vasin (Nababkin 26'); Fernandes, Dzagoev, Natkho, Kuchaev; Vitinho (Milanov 77'), Wernbloom, Musa

RED STAR BELGRADE (4-2-3-1): Borjan; Stojkovic, Savic, Le Tallec, Rodic; Donald (Srnic 78'), Jovicic (Racic 88'); Nabouhane, Krsticic, Radonjic (Adzic 88'); Pesic