CSKA Moscow travelled to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen knowing that a draw would secure third spot in Group D and qualification for the Europa League.
After a goalless first half, Leonid Slutsky's side took the lead when Ahmed Musa headed in.
However, Alan Dzagoev was sent off for the visitors and Plzen equalised through Daniel Kolar's header.
Both had chances to grab a winner, but it was the hosts who got the goal they needed when Tomas Wagner scored in stoppage time to confirm a place in the Europa League.
CSKA were reduced to nine men just before the end when Pontus Wernbloom was sent off.
Read how it all unfolded below with our minute-by-minute commentary.
Good evening and thanks for joining us for tonight's Group D match between Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow.
While most of the attention might be directed at Manchester City's match against Bayern Munich, don't worry, this one has plenty to keep you satisfied.
For starters, there's a place in the Europa League at stake and therefore the continuation of European football. What's more, this is in fact Pavel Vrba's last match in charge of Plzen as he's off to manage the Czech national team.
We'll come back to his achievements and what his exit could mean for Plzen in a few minutes, but let's get the team news first.
VIKTORIA PLZEN: Kozacik, Limbersky, Prochazka, Rajtoral, Cisovsky, Horvath, Horava, Petrzela, Kolar, Tecl, Duri
SUBS: Bolek, Hejda, Hubnik, Reznik, Kovarik, Wagner, Bakos
CSKA MOSCOW: Akinfeev; Ignashevich, A. Berezutski, Karavaev, Schennikov, Wernbloom, Dzagoev, Elm; Tosic, G. Milanov, Musa
SUBS: Chepchugov, Vasin, Nababkin, Honda, Zuber, Vitinho, Bazelyuk
So, Plzen have a familiar looking team, with the likes of Tecl and Horava, who both scored against Manchester City, starting.
Meanwhile, CSKA have had to juggle their XI slightly with Fernandes and Doumbia missing through injury. However, Alan Dzagoev is back after a lengthy spell out, while Keisuke Honda is on the bench.
As I was saying a few moments ago, tonight is Vrba's last match in charge of Plzen. He has been in the dugout since 2008, and it really has been a golden spell.
Where shall we start? Well, he led the club to their first major trophy, winning the Czech Cup in 2010, and then topped that the following season with the league title. A second championship was won last season. All in all, a resounding success.
Plzen also made it to the last 16 of last season's Europa League. They finished top of their group and beat Napoli in the last 32, before losing to Fenerbahce.
Given that Man City and Bayern Munich were the hot favourites to top the group when the draw was made, you'd have to say that Plzen and CSKA are where most expected them to be. They have just one win between them (CSKA's 3-2 success against tonight's opponents), but for one of them, the Europa League awaits.
To get there, Plzen need to win by a margin of more than one goal or by a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline. A draw would be enough for CSKA to progress.
Can Plzen do it? They have lost both of their home matches so far in the group, but CSKA have been beaten twice on the road. It might be a case of flipping a coin to decide this one.
Of course, CSKA have history in the Europa League, or UEFA Cup as it used to be known. They became the first Russian side to win a European trophy in 2005 when they beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in the final.
However, they are currently fifth in the Russian top flight, six points behind leaders Zenit St. Petersburg. They also lost their last league match, 1-0 to FK Krasnodar.
Their manager, Leonid Slutsky, has been with the club since 2009, when he replaced Juande Ramos. Like Vrba, he has experienced a high-level of success, winning a league and cup double last season and taking CSKA to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012.
As I said, they beat Plzen 3-2 in the corresponding fixture earlier this season. But, despite needing just a draw to secure Europa League qualification, Slutsky insists his team will attack.
"Regardless of what is expected from us, we are not going to give our opponents the initiative and just defend a one-goal advantage – it is not that big," he told reporters. "We know very well that Plzen have a squad full of quality footballers and they are capable of dangerous attacking play.
"In the Czech league they usually have about 60 per cent of possession. We want to be proactive straight from the kick-off."
Prediction: It's almost time for kickoff, so time for my prediction. Despite it being Vrba's last match and the home support being in Plzen's favour, I think CSKA will get a 1-1 draw and therefore qualify for the Europa League.
The players are out and the anthem is being played. The atmosphere is already in full swing.
KICKOFF Here we go, we're underway.
SHOT! CSKA look to attack straight from the kickoff, but after the ball falls to Tosic on the edge of the box, he curls his effort over the bar. Good start by the away side.
Now Plzen attack! Limbersky whips in a cross from the left and Horava is in loads of space in the box, but he cannot get the ball under control and CSKA manage to clear.
It's been a decent start by both teams. They seem eager to get forward at every opportunity, and luckily for the neutrals, both defences look vulnerable.
I have no idea what the fans are shouting, but they are making plenty of noise in the early stages. Whether the atmosphere will get to either side remains to be seen.
Not much to report on in terms of chances in the last few minutes. The ball has spent some time in midfield, although as I type that Rasmus Elm fires wildly over from about 35 yards.
CHANCE! This is the closest we've come to a goal so far. Daniel Kolar controls the ball just outside the area, takes a touch and then smacks a shot just past the post. I think the angle made it difficult, but that was a decent effort.
Both managers will be pleased with the start their players have made. It appears that this one will a close-fought encounter.
MISS! The home side are guilty of over playing the ball on the edge of box, with Duris taking too many touches. He loses the ball and CSKA break with Ahmed Musa. He runs a good 20 yards, but shoots wide instead of passing to Dzagoev, who was waiting in the middle.
That's better by Plzen. They win a corner after good work by Petrzela on the byline.
Nervy moments at the back here for CSKA. The set piece is played short and then curled viciously into the box. The heads go up, but the away side are just able to clear.
Again CSKA look edgy at the back. This time Michal Duris turns in the box before playing the ball in. It's dealt with by the defence, but not convincingly.
Plzen have enjoyed the better of this match so far, no doubt about it. They look particularly good on the flanks, testing the full-backs at every opportunity. Having said that, they haven't created enough.
YELLOW CARD: Prochazka is the first name in the referee's book. Dzagoev turns and clips the ball to Musa, who attempts to use his pace to get away from the Plzen defender. However, Prochazka bundles him over and it's yellow.
SAVE! Poor from CSKA, very poor. Ignashevich gives the ball away under pressure on the edge of his own box, and it reaches Tecl, who takes a touch before bending one towards the bottom corner. Akinfeev gets down low to tip it out for a corner.
Pavel Horvath delivers the corner to an unmarked Limbersky who swings his right foot at the ball, only to see his effort fly high over the crossbar.
SAVE! It should be 1-0 to the visitors! The ball goes over the top of the Plzen defence and Ahmed Musa is in the clear. However, he lacks confidence and tries to place his shot to the side of Kozacik, who makes the save. Minutes later Musa is again free, but this time decides to pass across the face of goal and the ball goes out for a corner. What a chance!
Despite that terrible miss, Musa looks lively. He has plenty of pace and very quick movement. He's not a natural goalscorer, however.
CSKA are growing as the match ticks towards half time. Plzen have lost their way in the last five minutes, and they got out of jail with that Musa miss.
Musa goes down in the box and appeals for a penalty, but the referee isn't interested. The CSKA forward was chasing a Tosic pass, and I think he has a case. There did seem to be contact.
Five minutes remain of what has been a decent, if unspectacular, first half. The quality in the final third has been lacking. And yes, Musa, I'm looking at you.
This attack proves my point. Duris does very well to hold off a succession of challenges before failing to pick out a teammate with his cross. Frustrating.
HALF TIME: Viktoria Plzen 0-0 CSKA Moscow
The first half ended with the home side on the attack, which was the pattern of play for much of the match. However, they will be disappointed with their lack of clear-cut chances. For CSKA, it's all about that miss from Ahmed Musa.
The stats reinforce my argument. The hosts have had 10 efforts on goal, while CSKA have had six. The away side have edged possession, but failed to do much with it.
In Group D's other match, Bayern Munich are 2-1 ahead against Manchester City. So as it stands, Bayern top the group with City in second. CSKA will get third and the Europa League spot if things stay the same here.
I wonder if Slutsky will consider making a change at the break? Alan Dzagoev has struggled to make an impact, but it all depends on the manager's game plan. If he brings on Keisuke Honda and keeps Dzagoev on the pitch, then we can assume he's pushing for a goal.
The players are back on the pitch for the second half. No signs of any changes for either side.
KICKOFF: The ref blows his whistle and the second half is underway.
Plzen push forward immediately from the kickoff and Rajtoral shoots wide. The ref awards a corner, but that's cleared without much fuss.
SAVE! This is a good chance for CSKA. Musa collects the ball and then fires a low right-footed shot across the goal. However, Kozacik sees it coming and gets down low to make the save.
CSKA MOSCOW SUB: Here comes Honda, replacing Zoran Tosic, who did little with his time on the pitch.
OVER THE BAR! Again Musa misses the target, although to be fair to him this was from 25 yards out. Having said that, he should have looked for a pass. Wasteful.
Honda has made a difference already. CSKA are sharper in attack and look more confident on the ball. Plzen will have to keep an eye on the Japan international.
PLZEN SUB: Duris comes off to be replaced by Jan Kovarik.
SAVE! Everything has gone through Honda since he came on. He wins a free kick and takes it quickly, freeing Dzagoev. The Russian playmaker shoots from distance and Kozacik parries it to one of his defenders, who completes the clearance.
UPDATE: In the other match in Group D, Manchester City have equalised against Bayern to make it 2-2.
MISS! Again Plzen waste a decent chance. How many more will they get? Horvath swings in a lovely ball to the penalty area and Stanislav Tecl beats his man, but he can't keep his header down and directs it over the bar.
GOAL! PLZEN 0-1 CSKA MOSCOW (Musa)
CSKA are in the driving seat now! Keisuke Honda delivers the perfect cross and Ahmed Musa drifts in at the back post to nod the ball home. Crucial goal, and Musa's first since August!
RED CARD! Alan Dzagoev
Stupid from Dzagoev. What is he thinking!? The ball is moving away from him, but he decides to kick out at Prochazka and CSKA are down to 10 men.
PLZEN SUB: The home side make another change. Here comes Bakos for Petrzela.
So, Plzen need to score two, but they are against 10 men. It's a tough one to call now, but before the sending off, there appeared to be only one winner. Dzagoev's red card could yet be a crucial factor in the outcome of this match, and qualification for the Europa League.
SAVE! Plzen are piling on the pressure as they seek an equaliser. Rajtoral fires wide, but Akinfeev makes a good save, tipping away Tecl's effort.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Plzen have the ball in the net, but it's clearly offside as the ball deflects off a retreating player from a long range shot.
GOAL! PLZEN 1-1 CSKA MOSCOW (Kolar)
This one does count, and Plzen are right back in this match! It's another great delivery from the left foot of Pavel Horvath, and there is Kolar to head into the top corner at the near post. Plzen need one more goal.
GREAT CHANCE! The match is frantic now and CSKA should be 2-1 up. Ahmed Musa opts to square the ball to Keisuke Honda after going clear through on goal, but his pass is poor and it rolls wide. A better ball and Honda would have had an open goal at his mercy.
CHANCES! Prochazka has a great chance in the box to put Plzen ahead, but Ignashevich makes a vital block at the last second. Minutes later CSKA counter attack, but the final ball is poor and here come Plzen again.
CSKA are holding on now. The hosts, as you would expect against 10 men, have control of possession, they just can't find that elusive second goal.
CHANCE! Another chance comes and goes for the home side. A cross is floated in and again the CSKA defence stand still, allowing Tomas Wagner a header at goal. It's wide, though, and the away side breathe again.
It's all or nothing now for Plzen. If they score, they are through to the Europa League. If it stays at 1-1, CSKA will finish third.
GOAL! PLZEN 2-1 CSKA MOSCOW (Wagner)
Pavel Vrba's side are 2-1 up and what a good goal it is! Rajtoral delivers a free kick, Wagner steals a yard at the back post, controls the ball and then smashes it into the net. What a great second half we've had.
RED CARD: CSKA MOSCOW (Wernbloom)
My word, what on earth has happened to CSKA? They have a free kick in a great position but, as Honda goes to take it, Wernbloom gets himself sent off for kicking out.
FULL TIME : Viktoria Plzen 2-1 CSKA Moscow
Plzen grab third spot in Group D and advance to the Europa League. A fantastic end to Vrba's tenure, but Slutsky will have serious questions for his players.
The Plzen players are on the pitch, celebrating with their manager. Tonight's result means they prolong their European campaign into the new year for a third successive season.
On the other hand, CSKA look utterly dejected. They were in control at 1-0 up, but that moment of stupidity by Dzagoev has cost them. Without his red card, Plzen would have struggled to equalise.
Manchester City produced a brilliant display to beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the other match in Group D, but it wasn't enough to see them top the group.
That's all we've got time for here tonight. A decent first half turned into a dramatic second, and Vrba will say that his team did just enough to warrant victory. They march on to the Europa League. As for CSKA, their European adventure ends.
Written by
Gary Peters
Gary Peters
