Manchester United have reached the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 2013 after a 2-1 home victory against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford.
A contentious goal awarded to Vitinho gave CSKA a shock lead on half-time, but Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford struck twice in the space of two second-half minutes to send Jose Mourinho's side into the last 16 as Group A winners.
The result left United top of the table on 15 points, three more than second-placed Basel and six ahead of third-placed CSKA who will carry on in the second-tier Europa League after the winter break.
Mourinho made six changes to the team that had beaten Arsenal, handing a rare start to forgotten left-back Luke Shaw, and the low-key feel was only exacerbated when the Champions League music failed to play prior to kick-off.
Mario Fernandes cut the ball back from the byline on the right and Vitinho's stabbed effort struck Alan Dzagoev on the back and bounced into the net.
United piled the pressure after the break and Akinfeev parried another fierce Rashford shot before the home side's siege finally paid dividends.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores his sides second goal. /VCG Photo
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores his sides second goal. /VCG Photo
Lukaku used his physical strength to steer in the equalizer in the 64th minute, as he got on the end of a probing Paul Pogba pass despite being tugged by CSKA center back Viktor Vasin.
Rashford got his reward for tireless work less than a minute later, drilling in a sublime Juan Mata chip with a fierce left-footed shot from 13 meters which gave Akinfeev no chance.
With Basel winning 2-0 away to Benfica in the other group game, CSKA had to content themselves with a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League while the Swiss side went through.
Corentin Tolisso of Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his team mates. /VCG photo
Corentin Tolisso of Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his team mates. /VCG photo
In other action on Tuesday, Juvetus, last season's runner up, triumphed 2-0 at Olympiakos to progress second behind Group D winners Barcelona, who won 2-0 at home to Sporting.
Roma beat Qarabag 1-0 to top Group C ahead of Chelsea, who were held 1-1 at home to third-place Atletico Madrid, by virtue of a better head-to-head record.
In Group B, Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 but failed to find the four-goal winning margin needed to knock the French off top spot.