Schuerrle steers Wolfsburg to 2-0 win over CSKA Moscow

Posted November 25, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CORRECTS DETAILS OF GOAL SCORER Wolfsburg's Andre Schuerrle, second right, and teammates celebrate the opening goal deflected in off Igor Akinfeev's arm and marked down as an own goal by the CKSA keeper, during Champions League Group B soccer match between CSKA Moscow and VfL Wolfsburg at the Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) - Andre Schuerrle scored one goal and made the other as Wolfsburg beat CSKA Moscow 2-0 on Wednesday in the Champions League.

An erratic performance by CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev played a crucial part in his club's defeat, which ended the Russian champion's hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Wolfsburg leads Group B and must now avoid defeat next month in its final game against Manchester United to ensure qualification. The German team would also qualify if PSV Eindhoven fails to beat CSKA.

A low shot by Schuerrle from a narrow angle in the 67th minute was deflected in off Akinfeev's arm and marked down as an own goal by the CKSA keeper.

Schuerrle then scored in the 88th minute with a side-footed finish off a pass from Sebastian Jung. Akinfeev stretched out his leg to block the shot, but couldn't prevent it from finding the net.

CSKA had chances to score, most notably shortly before Akinfeev's own goal, when midfielder Zoran Tosic rattled the post with a powerful shot.

"If we'd taken the lead then, it would have been much easier for us," CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky said.

Ahmed Musa could have leveled for CSKA in the 84th minute when he charged in behind the Wolfsburg defense but the Nigerian forward knocked the ball too far ahead of himself, allowing Naldo to hook it away with a last-ditch challenge.

Wolfsburg is one point ahead of United, which drew 0-0 with third-placed PSV in Wednesday's other Group B game.

CSKA's Alan Dzagoev, left, and Wolfsburg's Daniel Caligiuri, right, challenge for the ball during Champions League Group B soccer match between CSKA Moscow and VfL Wolfsburg at the Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

Wolfsburg's Daniel Caligiuri, left, and CSKA's Ahmed Musa, right, challenge for the ball during Champions League Group B soccer match between CSKA Moscow and VfL Wolfsburg at the Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, left, hugs his teammate Naldo, after the Champions League Group B soccer match between CSKA Moscow and VfL Wolfsburg at the Arena Khimki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. Wolfsburg defeated Moscow by 2-0. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) The Associated Press

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