CSKA Moscow 1-1 Sevilla

Negredo's away goal could prove crucial for Sevilla

Alvaro Negredo's away goal gave Sevilla a slight advantage in their Champions League last 16 tie against CSKA Moscow.

CSKA, playing their first competitive game since their domestic season ended in December, made a promising start but fell behind after 25 minutes.

Jesus Navas's low cross from the right evaded defender and keeper, allowing Negredo to tap in at the far post.

The hosts deservedly equalised though when Mark Gonzalez sent a 25-yard thunderbolt past Andres Palop.

It was the former Liverpool winger's first goal in the Champions League - and a stunning way to opening his account.

Nonetheless, Sevilla will probably be the happier side ahead of the second leg on 16 March, especially given CSKA's run of 15 Champions League games without keeping a clean sheet.

The Spanish side, who lie fourth in La Liga, went ahead against the run of play when Navas's cross evaded the defender's attempted clearance and Akinfeev's grasp, leaving Negredo to score his first Champions League goal of the season.

CSKA, playing their first game in the Champions League knock-out stages, included £8m signing Keisuke Honda in their starting line-up and the Japanese midfielder was behind much of their attacking intent.

He fired wide from 18 yards on 31 minutes and narrowly missed the target again minutes later when he picked up a rebound from an Evengi Aldonin effort.

Gonzalez eventually got the hosts back on level terms, the Chilean picking the ball up 25 yards out, and, with hardly any backlift, firing an stoppable shot past a stunned Palop.

Czech striker Tomas Necid might have won it for the hosts when he ran through with six minutes remaining, but Palop pushed his shot around the post to leave the tie in the balance.