CSKA needed at least one goal to stay alive in the competition and really looked for one in the opening minutes. Doumbia came close with a shot that grazed the crossbar (7'), forcing Real Madrid to react with a powerful Ronaldo strike that Chepchugov managed to save. Kaka also had a chance inside the box and narrowly missed the goal (17').
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| A shy CSKA Moscow was defeated at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium |
The Whites dominated the encounter and Higuain tallied the first on the goal-line from an assist by Kaka (26'), but CSKA continued their search for a strike, forcing Casillas to send a long distance Musa shot to corner-kick (33'). Kaka served a good cross that Higuain failed to finish off just before half-time (44').
The Madridistas slowed the game down a bit in the second half while keeping possession and Crsitiano netted the second of the evening from a powerful shot from outside the box (54'). This was a harsh blow to the Russians and the locals used this to have more chances. Ronaldo served a great pass to Higuain inside the box, but the Argentine missed the ball by inches (63'), and a couple of minutes later the Portuguese striker nearly scored from a header that went over the crossbar. Doumbia had a clear chance for CSKA on the 66-minute mark, but his shot on goal missed the target even though Casillas was already defeated.
Benzema came on for Higuain (68') and scored the third goal from the first ball he touched after receiving a great pass from Ozil. Granero came on for Kaka soon after the strike (75'). With nothing left to lose, CSKA kept looking for a strike and were rewarded with an amazing long distance shot by Necid (80') when Real Madrid had somewhat relaxed. Lass came on for Ozil (85') and, just when everything seemed final, Cristiano Ronaldo tallied another goal on the goal-line thanks to a generous assist from Benzema (94').
Summary
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 75,000
Goals: 1-0, m.26: Higuaín; 2-0, m.54: Ronaldo. 3-0, m.70: Benzema. 3-1, m.80: Necid. 4-1, m.94: Ronaldo