Igor Akinfeev must hate the sound of that Champions League music with an absolute passion.
The last 39 times he’s heard it, the goalkeeper has gone on to concede at least one goal in every match he’s played in the competition for CSKA Moscow – setting an unwanted record in the process.
Thankfully for Akinfeev, he arrived at Wembley ahead of the game against Tottenham knowing that he would only have to listen to it once more this season. CSKA propped up Group E, from which Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco had already secured their passage to the knockout stages.
It wasn’t completely a dead rubber, however. A win for the Russians would see them leapfrog Spurs and snatch third place, enough for them to seal a late entry into the Europa League.
The first goal of the game came for CSKA too, taking the lead through Alan Dzagoev.
Could it be that Akinfeev would keep his first Champions League clean sheet in over a decade underneath the Wembley arch?
No. Of course not.
Five minutes later, Dele Alli levelled for Spurs. In first half stoppage time, Harry Kane put them ahead.
With CSKAÂ hopes of continuing their European campaign fading, it seemed almost certain that Alli would wrap things up when he was picked out by a cross with 15 minutes left to play. However, from point blank range, Alli headed straight at Akinfeev.
Having made the save with his hands, Akinfeev immediately follows it by inadvertently kicking the ball into his own net as he falls backwards.
Look away Akinfeev! The CSKA keeper is without a #UCL clean sheet in 10 years and this wasn't his finest moment. 🙈 https://t.co/xFAWA727XR
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 7, 2016
A decent finish, to be fair.
Chin up, Igor. There’s always next year.
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