Pro Sports

CSKA's Zhamaletdinov debuts with winning goal at Benfica

Posted September 12, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

CSKA's Timur Zhamaletdinov celebrates his goal against Benfica during the Champions League group A soccer match between SL Benfica and CSKA Moscow at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - CSKA Moscow forward Timur Zhamaletdinov made a memorable Champions League debut on Tuesday by scoring the winner in a 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica in Group A.

The 20-year-old substitute was on hand to prod in a rebound in the 73rd minute, four minutes into his first Champions League game.

The chance came after a ball over the top found CSKA defender Viktor Vasin in the opposition box. Vasin turned and shot, showing off skills more typical of a striker, and goalkeeper Bruno Varela could only parry the ball to the feet of Zhamaletdinov.

CSKA had to rally from 1-0 down after Haris Seferovic gave Benfica the lead in the 50th minute, beating CSKA defender Alexei Berezutsky to a cross at the near post from Richairo Zivkovic.

The Russian team hit back in the 63rd when Vitinho blasted the ball into the top-left corner from the penalty spot, after a hotly disputed hand-ball call against Andre Almeida.

After Zhamaletdinov put the Russian team ahead, Benfica pushed forward in search of an equalier, but couldn't break down CSKA's defense.

The win is a boost to CSKA's hopes of ending a four-season run of finishing last in its Champions League group.

CSKA's Vitinho score a goal against Benfica during the Champions League group A soccer match between SL Benfica and CSKA Moscow at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

Benfica's Eduardo Salvio, right, fights for the ball with CSKA's Aleksey Berezutskiy during the Champions League group A soccer match between SL Benfica and CSKA Moscow at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

Benfica's Haris Seferovic, left, celebrates his goal against CSKA during the Champions League group A soccer match between SL Benfica and CSKA Moscow at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

Fans of Benfica hold up their scarfs during the Champions League group A soccer match between SL Benfica and CSKA Moscow at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

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