Dzagoev inspires CSKA Moscow fightback
Alan Dzagoev came off the bench to help keep CSKA Moscow's UEFA Champions League qualification hopes alive by inspiring the Russian side to a 2-1 comeback win at Basel on Wednesday (AEDT).
The Swiss champion knew it would be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages with two games to spare if they beat CSKA at St Jakob-Park and Manchester United avoided defeat at home to Benfica.
Basel looked on track to make it three Champions League wins in a row when Luca Zuffi opened the scoring following a tight 32 minutes by neatly lobbing a prone Igor Akinfeev, after the Russia goalkeeper had denied Mohamed Elyounoussi.
CSKA was heading out but half-time substitute Dzagoev, not deemed fit enough to start the match, equalised after 64 minutes, beating goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik with a sumptuous finish to level the scores.
And the visitor went on to complete a stunning turnaround and win the game, Pontus Wernbloom lashing in a fine drive shortly after he wasted a glorious chance by heading Dzagoev's cross wide.
CSKA and Basel are now level on six points with two games to play in Group A, but the Swiss side remains in second spot on ahead of its home game against United on matchday five - a 2-0 win in Russia giving them a superior head-to-head record.
