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Wednesday 27 November 2013

Zenit 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Courtois howler gifts Russians a point

The Belgian goalkeeper made a mess of a deflected cross with just over 10 minutes remaining, which ends Atleti's 100% record in the Champions League this season

Oleg Shatov Gabi Zenit Atletico Chamopions League 261113

An error from Thibaut Courtois saw Atletico Madrid gift Zenit St Petersburg a point as they drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.
The goalkeeper misjudged a deflected cross from Igor Smolnikov in the 74th minute and let the looping ball drop into the net, with that strike cancelling out Adrian Lopez's 54th minute goal for the visitors.

Hulk and Aleksandr Kerzhakov both wasted chances for the hosts, who struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite having plenty of possession.

The visitors – who had already qualified for the knockout stages prior to kick-off – were not at their fluent best but remain unbeaten in Group G with one game remaining.

Zenit's fate will be decided in the final round of fixtures when they travel to Austria Vienna.

Atletico made four changes, as Diego Simeone opted to rest Diego Costa, Arda Turan, Tiago and David Villa.

Zenit fielded their strongest possible side, including Hulk and Axel Witsel, although Danny and Cristian Ansaldi missed out through injury.

Hulk and Kerzhakov provided the biggest threat as the hosts started at a high tempo and the Brazilian forced the first save of the match in the 14th minute.

He unleashed a powerful strike from long range after receiving the ball midway inside the Atletico half, but Courtois punched the effort to safety.

Los Rojiblancos only managed to test Yuri Lodygin in the final seconds of the half, the goalkeeper comfortably dealing with Koke's volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Chances continued to be at a premium after the break, but the lively Hulk was again denied by Courtois after a neat lay-off from Roman Shirokov.

Kerzhakov was also guilty of missing a good opening and his lack of quality in front of goal was punished as Atletico took the lead from their best chance of the game.

Having been released on the left by Raul Garcia, Adrian cut inside his marker and fired through the legs of Lodygin for his first goal in the competition.

Shatov wasted a great chance just after the hour mark but his blushes were spared when Zenit equalised somewhat fortuitously.

Smolnikov's cross from the right flicked off the head of Toby Alderweireld and looped over Courtois, who misjudged the flight of the ball.

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