Real Madrid locked horns with CSKA Moscow in Russia, Jose Mourinho made a few surprising changes. Marcelo was on the bench, Fabio Coentrao started instead of the Brazilian. As expected Benzema started ahead of Higuain, Jose Callejon was handed a start by Jose Mourinho. Sami Khedira also started the game.
Karim Benzema lasted on 14 minutes of the opening-half, the striker did his groin after taking a shot from distance, he was replaced by Higuain.

Ronaldo looked lively throughout the game; he gave the away side the lead in the 28^th minute. It was a defensive error which presented Ronaldo with a great opportunity and the Portuguese gleefully put it away, it was fiercely struck and the keeper could not do anything about it. Minutes earlier the CSKA keeper made two great saves within seconds, he denied Khedira and Higuain were denied in quick succession by the keeper.

Real Madrid went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.

CSKA looked a much better team in the second-half; they were desperate to score knowing that things would be really difficult for them in the second-leg when they travel to Spain.

Ahmed Musaab’s pace was troubling the Real Madrid defenders but the player was surprisingly substituted in the 64^th, it was a bad decision by the CSKA manager.

Honda was introduced by the home team in the 68^th minute but he could not do much to change the course of the game.
Callejon was withdrawn in the 75^th minute, he was replaced by Kaka.
Kaka found Ronaldo in the 84^th minute but Ronaldo’s shot went wide, it was a great chance to make it 2-0 but it was squandered.

Ozil made way for Raul Albiol in the 85^th minute.

Real Madrid conceded a late goal; it was scored in the dying seconds of the game. It was pinball stuff in the box and Wernbloom made the most of it by scoring from really close range. It was his debut goal in the competition, at 1-0 it looked like the perfect result but the late goal changed the complexion of the tie. It would be very interesting to see what happens in the decisive leg.