Akinfeev keeps first Champions League clean sheet since November 2006

Igor Akinfeev kept his first clean sheet in the Champions League in over a decade as CSKA Moscow beat Benfica 2-0 in Russia.

Akinfeev’s last main-draw clean sheet came back on November 1 2006 against Arsenal and he had failed to record a shut-out in his following 43 appearances, before Wednesday’s game.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a comfortable outing against Benfica and was rarely tested as CSKA cruised to victory.

The goalkeeper saved routinely from Eliseu in the first half and denied Andre Almeida after the break, but otherwise saw little action of note.

CSKA Moscow’s victory puts them on nine points and with qualification still possible with one game left to play.

Their final fixture is a trip to Old Trafford to take on Group A leaders Manchester United on December 5, when Benfica host Basel.