25.11.2014 20:21 h

Totti's Roma foiled by Berezutsky's late late show for CSKA

Vasily Berezutsky's equaliser deep in injury time earned CSKA Moscow an unlikely 1-1 draw with Roma on Tuesday after Francesco Totti enhanced his standing as the Champions League's oldest goalscorer.

Totti, who claimed the scoring record against Manchester City in September, put Roma in front in the 43rd minute at the age of 38 years, one month and 29 days.

That appeared to be enough to secure Roma the win in freezing conditions until Berezutsky's cross evaded the Italian defence and slotted into the far corner in the 93rd minute.

The stalemate in front of an eerily empty Khimki Arena as CSKA serve a spectator ban left Roma and CSKA on five points apiece, with Roma occupying second on their head-to-head record.

Already qualified Bayern Munich are at Manchester City later Tuesday with City, on two points, requiring a win to remain in the race for the knockout stages.

Roma still have their knockout stage destiny in their own hands as a win against City in a fortnight will see them through.

Roma, who had seen off CSKA 5-1 on the Russian champion's visit to Italy, began confidently, dominating possession.

But it was the Red Army side who created the first live chance when Israeli playmaker Bebras Natcho lobbed the ball into the box to Alan Dzagoev, who failed to redirect it into the net from 12 metres.

On 36 minutes Totti found unmarked Alessandro Florenzi in the area but he also squandered his chance, sending the ball out for a throw-in from the edge of the six-yard box.

CSKA's Ivory Coast forward Seydou Doumbia then had a close range effort denied by Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Totti broke the deadlock with a powerful 17-metre freekick into the top left-hand corner, past the outstretched hands of CSKA 'keeper Igor Akinfeev two minutes from the break.

Roma's Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan had a clear opportunity to double his side's lead just before the hour mark as he picked up the ball and worked his way into the area but his close-range shot went just inches off the far left post.

Serbian attacker Adem Ljajic also had an excellent chance to make it 2-0 for the guests with 11 minutes to go but Akinfeev cleared his unopposed shot from just inside the area with his left foot for a corner.

CSKA then stunned Roma in the third minute of stoppage time as Berezutsky beat De Sanctis with a left-handed cross which flew through Italian traffic and into the far corner.