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CSKA Moscow may have failed to secure a place in the next round of the UEFA Champions League, but they struck three past Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Goals from Fyodor Chalov, Georgi Shchennikov and Arnor Sigurdsson sealed the victory and lifted the Russian giants' heads with pride of the highest degree.
Real Madrid had a couple of very close chances in the first half, but two goals before halftime and one after put the game beyond doubt. In the second half, the hosts barely capitalized on possession.
Viktor Goncharenko's side have now done the double over the European giants with that victory. Madrid however, qualify for the next round with 12 points. (4 wins, 2 defeats) In the same group, AS Roma qualified with 9 points.
Here are the major talking points from CSKA Moscow's shock 3-0 win over the defending champions Real Madrid.
#1 Solari names a heavily rotated side
With 12 points from five games and an assured place in the knockout stages, anyone could predict a host of changes to be made by Santiago Solari. The Madrid boss made as many as seven changes to the side that pipped Huesca last weekend.
Thibaut Courtois formed the last line of defence and retained his place in the starting XI. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane gave way to young Sanchez de Felipe and Jesus Vallejo, who started as central defenders.
Daniel Carvajal was rested, while Marcelo returned from an injury setback. Alvaro Odriozola continued to play at right back. Federico Valverde came in for Toni Kroos as Solari fielded a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Isco, who hasn't had the best couple of months, started just behind Karim Benzema. Marco Asensio occupied the right flank, whereas 18-year-old Vinicius Junior became the third youngest Galactico to start a Champions League game, behind Iker Casillas and Raul Gonzalez.
Only Marcelo, Courtois, Isco and Benzema in the starting line-up had notable experience in the top-tier of European football. Altogether, the average age of the team was just 24.
#2 The game starts slowly, both teams take a while to settle
It was a slow start to proceedings, with both outfits taking a while to get into the act or threaten opposition goalkeepers. Until a Marco Asensio effort in the 15th minute that was rather tame, there was nothing to test either shot-stopper.
Young Vinicius did look threatening with his direct, fearless nature and sublime first touches, and so did Marco Asensio, but the opening exchanges of the fixture were sluggish and lacklustre.
Los Blancos recycled possession repeatedly and tried to carve open a five-man Moscow defence that was foiled by a packed four-man midfield - all close to each other.
A couple of efforts from the home team's wingers were blocked and cleared away. While the game was being played at a pedestrian pace, Courtois had almost nothing to do at the other end.
#3 Madrid enjoy a fine attacking spell, but Moscow score two before half time
At the halfway stage of the first 45, the match finally opened up as Real Madrid shifted gears quite drastically. In the 24th minute, Vinicius received the ball down the left hand side and wriggled past challenges. He twisted and turned until a fingertip save from Akinfeev was produced off his fine strike.
The ball fell to Asensio, who tried to dip it but only just hit the frame of goal. His shot was exquisite, but the Spaniard was unlucky on that occasion. Moments later, Benzema picked the ball up in the middle third of the pitch and drove forward. He launched a shot, but the attempt was blocked by a red shirt.
Marco Asensio then produced a glimpse of class, as he completed over seven passes with around five players and got on the end of the move he had created, but couldn't apply the finishing touch.
However, a rare passage of play from the visitors unfolded, with Sigurdsson running through the Madrid midfield and offloading to Chalov, who cut back to his left and left Courtois with no chance.
The same man was in the thick of the action for the second goal, as he laid it up for Mario Fernandes with a back-flick. The wing-back was afforded too much space. He stuck to the basics and struck a fine-tuned shot, which was saved by the Real Madrid custodian.
However, the rebound fell to the Shchennikov, who didn't catch it all that well but made no mistakes. Bernabeu meanwhile, was flummoxed amid silence.
#4 Real Madrid continue to build possession, CSKA Moscow continue to score
The second half got underway and we witnessed substantial one-way traffic. Credit to CSKA Moscow, who played to their strengths, defended with five men and thwarted any aerial threat from the opposition. However, there was a feeling around the stadium that Benzema and co. would find a way to fabricate a comeback.
Vinicius started the second half just as he did in the first - with an explosive approach. He stormed through a pack of defenders and got his shot away, which was just wide. The Isco chance followed minutes later.
In the 72nd minute, Valverde wasn't closed down and as a result, Akinfeev was forced to make a save.
Madrid though had been offering acres of space in various channels and once again, credit to Moscow for converting their opportunities with conviction. Sigurdsson this time, struck it fiercely and buried it to the bottom corner. Quite Clinical.
#5 Isco was a simply a shadow of himself
Since the appointment of Santiago Solari as the first team head coach, one player who has horribly suffered is Isco. The manager has claimed that there is no issue with the play maker and that his decisions are always tactical, but nevertheless, the creative midfielder has consequentially fallen down the pecking order.
He has only started Champions League games post the secured qualification of Madrid. Although he struck a brace last time out, the 26-year-old didn't look all that sharp today.
With two defensive midfielders, he had the license to stay deeper and dictate play, while also dart forward and create chances. Maybe confidence played a part?
As always, Isco looked smooth on the ball and more or less effective with his passing. What let him and Solari's side down was his end product. More often than not, he couldn't quite produce the killer pass.
The number 10 had a golden chance with acres of time and space in the box, where in he could have unleashed a shot. However, Isco was slow in his approach and eventually, he shot wide from six yards out.
As the game wore on, he did too - which summed up his evening.
