Basel defeat CSKA to extend Champions League start

Moscow - 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 in Wednesday's other game to maintain their perfect record.

Taulant Xhaka scored the opening goal of the game in the 29th minute. CSKA sloppily gave away possession in the centre of the pitch with Xhaka taking full advantage, charging through the opposition half before unleashing a fierce strike to the bottom-left corner.

Basel was 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 the offside flag.

CSKA left large gaps at the back as they pushed forward, allowing Basel substitute Dimitri Oberlin to use his speed to burst through the defence 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 that has now gone five games in all competitions without conceding a single goal. The Russian team came closest to levelling the score when Mario Fernandes missed the target from a good position in the 76th.

CSKA are third in Group A with three points while Benfica are rooted to the bottom of the group with no points.