Nikola Vlasic struck an early winner as 10-man CSKA Moscow stunned European champions Real Madrid with a 1-0 victory at the Luzhniki Stadium.
The on-loan Everton starlet took full advantage of Toni Kroos' miscued back pass on two minutes to leave Julen Lopetegui's side winless in their last three matches in all competitions.
Los Blancos were missing the likes of Gareth Bale, Isco, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, and it showed as they struggled to get the better of a vibrant young Russian outfit.
CSKA Moscow's Croatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic celebrates with teammates after the UEFA Champions League group G football match between PFC CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid CF at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on October 2, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Real improved as the match wore on with Casemiro, Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz all hitting the woodwork. The visitors dominated throughout the second half but struggled to truly trouble Igor Akinfeev, who was dramatically sent off in stoppage time for verbally abusing the referee.
It came too late to affect the result which sees Real drop to second in Group G, a point behind surprise leaders CSKA. Roma are third after their thumping 5-0 home success over Viktoria Plzen.
Real will look to get back on track on match day three when they host Plzen on October 23. CSKA visit Roma.
TALKING POINT
Real lack punch. Three games without a win, and perhaps more worryingly for Lopetegui and co, a surprising 319 minutes without a goal. Real lacked real punch in attack against a side who usually leak goals for fun when facing Europe's elite. There has been plenty of discussion of how much the Spanish giants will miss Cristiano Ronaldo this term and this sort of profligate display - that included just three efforts on target from 26 attempts - won't do them any favours with the media and their critics.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui of Real Madrid gestures during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid at the Luzhniki Stadium on October 02, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
The main issue may not be the loss of their former talisman, but the fact they didn't really replace him in the summer. Los Blancos should still navigate this group but unless they address their travails in front of goal, a fourth European crown in a row looks a long way off.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moscow). Struck the priceless winner and caused Real a flurry of early problems as the hosts made a fast start. Remained a threat on the counter in the second period and showed enough class to please Evertonians watching on.
Nikola Vlasic of PFC CSKA Moscow celebrates after scoring a goal during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid at the Luzhniki Stadium on October 02, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev 6, Mário Fernandes 8, Rodrigo Becão 8, Nababkin 7, Bijol 7, Chernov 7, Vlašic 8, Chalov 7, Dzagoev 7, Akhmetov 7, Oblyakov 7. Subs: Efremov 7, Sigurdsson 6, Kyrnats n/a.
REAL MADRID: Navas 6, Carvajal 6, Varane 6, Nacho 6, Reguilón 6, Kroos 6, Ceballos 6, Casemiro 6, Lucas Vázquez 6, Asensio 6, Benzema 6. Subs: Odriozola 6, Diaz 6, Modric 6.
KEY MOMENTS
2' - GOAL! CSKA 1-0 Real Madrid. Nikola Vlasic pounces on Kroos' miscued back pass, turns past Varane and fires low into the bottom corner.
14' - CSKA CHANCE. Chalov sees a shot blocked inside the area by the alert Nacho before Chernov heads over a great opportunity from the resulting corner.
28' - REAL HIT THE WOODWORK. Casemiro is given too much time and space as he leads a Real charge. The Brazilian gets within 25 yards of goal and fires in a low shot that beats Akinfeev but comes flying back off the post.
40' - REAL HIT THE BAR! Benzema's header thumps against the bar. Real pushing hard for that leveller before the break.
87' - REAL HIT THE WOODWORK AGAIN. Diaz rises brilliantly to meet a right-wing centre, but sees his header thump back off the post.
90+5' - REAL CHANCE. Varane somehow heads wide from close-range after getting on the end of a pinpoint right-wing centre. That will surely be that for the away side.
90+7' - CSKA RED CARD. Incredible drama as Akinfeev is sent off (two quick-fire cautions) for two verbal outbursts at the referee right at the death. Bizarre.
CSKA Moscow's Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (2L) argues with the referee during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between PFC CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid CF at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on October 2, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STAT
Nikola Vlasic’s goal after 65 seconds is the fastest Real Madrid have conceded in the competition since March 2007 (Roy Makaay, 10 seconds).
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