CSKA Moscow 1 - 1 Monaco: Igor Akinfeev denied long-awaited clean sheet as Monaco grab a late equaliser

Posted Wednesday, October 19, 2016 by PA

Bernardo Silva netted a late equaliser as Monaco left CSKA Moscow with a 1-1 draw after on-loan forward Lacina Traore looked to have got the better of his parent club.

Ivory Coast forward Traore, who joined the Russian club at the start of the 2016/2017 season, was on hand to put the home side ahead on 34 minutes.

Following a brilliant display by CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who was looking to keep a first Champions League clean sheet in some 40 matches, Monaco finally earned a share of the points when Bernardo Silva netted with just three minutes left to keep the French side top of Group E.

Monaco had the better of the early exchanges, but it was the Russians who almost snatched the lead following a quick breakaway on 11 minutes.

Aleksei Ionov got clear down the right and sent a low ball across the Monaco penalty area, but Traore could only lift the ball over both the onrushing goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Monaco remained dangerous on the counter themselves, as Thomas Lemar sent a 20-yard effort over.

CSKA slowly began to get a foothold in the match, with Zoran Tosic seeing his effort saved and Aleksandr Golovin remained dangerous from a central position.

The Russians took the lead on 34 minutes.

Mario Fernandes set Tosic away down the right, and the Serbian cut back inside before drilling a low shot goalwards, which Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic pushed out.

Traore was on hand to collect the lose ball at the far post before lashing it into the net and turning to celebrate in front of the CSKA fans.

Akinfeev had to make a smart save from Monaco defender Andrea Raggi at point-blank range to send the hosts into half-time still ahead.

The tempo of the match dropped at the start of the second half, before Monaco slowly regained some control.

With 18 minutes left, Akinfeev was out quickly to deny Benjamin Mendy as the French side continued to press.

Just when CSKA thought they had done enough, Monaco snatched a deserved equaliser.

Akinfeev produced another brilliant save to beat away Guido Carrillo's 18-yard drive, but Silva was first to the loose ball and slotted it past the unfortunate Russian goalkeeper.