Basel stay second in Group A after seeing off CSKA Moscow

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:39 am

Basel continued a strong start to their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

The Swiss champions sit second in Group A on six points, behind only Manchester United, who beat Benfica 1-0.

Taulant Xhaka scored in the 29th minute when CSKA lost the ball in the centre of the pitch and he took full advantage, charging through the opposition half before unleashing a fierce strike to the bottom-left corner.

Basel were aggrieved not to be given a second in the 51st when Albian Ajeti put the ball into the net, only for his celebrations to be cut short by an offside call.

FC Basel players celebrate after opening the scoring against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday.
FC Basel players celebrate after opening the scoring against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday.
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CSKA left large gaps at the back as they pushed forward, allowing Basel substitute Dimitri Oberlin to use his speed to burst through the defense and score his team's second goal in the 90th.

It was something of a redemption for Oberlin, who had missed two good chances in the five minutes leading up to his goal.

CSKA failed to register a single shot on target against a Basel defense who have now gone five games in all competitions without conceding a single goal. The Russian team came closest to leveling the score when Mario Fernandes missed the target from a good position in the 76th.

CSKA are third in Group A with three points and Benfica last with no points.