Bayer Leverkusen extended their lead at the top of Group C in the Champions League with a 2-1 win away to Zenit St Petersburg this evening.
South Korea international Son Heung-min struck two second-half goals before Salomon Rondon netted in stoppage time for the home side after coming off the bench.
However, the Bundesliga side held on to strengthen their claims for a place in the knockout stages of Europe's premier competition.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the key moments from the game.
Match statistics
ZENIT
Shots: 10
On target: 3
Possession: 57
Corners: 5
Fouls: 16
LEVERKUSEN
Shots: 14
On target: 4
Possession: 43
Corners: 4
Fouls: 19
Was the result fair?
Zenit created the better chances in what was a fairly timid first half. Alexander Kerzhakov should have scored after being played in behind before hitting the side-netting from a tight angle later on in the first period. However, the Bundesliga side made their class tell by tucking away their chances, and that is the difference at this level.
Zenit's performance
Zenit did okay in the first half, but struggled to create much in the second period. They looked dangerous with a number of balls in behind the Leverkusen defence but time and again the German side held firm and defended well.
Leverkusen's performance
There were some excellent individual performances in defence, and while they didn't carve out too many openings up top, when they did they were ruthless. Their opening goal was a well-worked free kick that completely stunned the hosts.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Son Heung-min: Emir Spahic made some excellent blocks at the back and was brave throughout, but Son takes the accolade for two well-taken goals. The first was a stunning long-range curler and the second - a neat finish inside the area - was equally impressive. The 22-year-old was the difference between both sides up top.
Biggest gaffe
Kerzhakov could have made this game totally different, but he spurned the best chance of the first half when going clean through against Bernd Leno. Had that gone in, we could be talking about a renewed optimism towards Zenit's qualification hopes.
Referee performance
Alberto Mallenco didn't have too many contentious decisions to make and while he was a bit keen to book Oleg Shatov and Karim Bellarabi for a simple coming-together towards the end, the Spaniard was generally assured and did well.
What next?
Zenit: Andre Villas-Boas's side turn their attention back to domestic duty when they host Terek Grozny on Saturday.
Leverkusen: Roger Schmidt's side host Mainz 04 in the Bundesliga this weekend.
Paul Gorst
