Igor Akinfeev Hit by Flare During Montenegro vs. Russia: Details and Reaction

A flare struck Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev during a 2016 European Championship qualifying match between Russia and Montenegro on March 27, delaying the action for 30 minutes after Akinfeev was carried off on a stretcher. 

Sky Sports News HQ reported on March 30 that UEFA had "[opened] disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro and Russia FA after game was abandoned." On April 8, the UEFA awarded Russia the 3-0 win "by forfeit after crowd violence," per The Associated Press, via The Guardian.     

Thankfully, "CSKA coach Viktor Onopko told Russian media that Akinfeev would likely be back in training today [Monday] and was on track to play Sunday in the league," according to ProSoccerTalk's Kyle Bonn on March 30.   

Fox Soccer Trax had the initial details, while Eurosport.com provided a snapshot of the scene, which occurred inside the first minute of the match:

It appears as though the flare hit Akinfeev near the head.

ESPN FC reported officials abandoned the match after a second incident, the score tied at 0-0:

Rob Harris of The Associated Press reported the match was abandoned due to a brawl between the two sides.

The Daily Mail provided more details:

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The match was eventually abandoned after Russia's Roman Shirokov missed a penalty in the 66th minute with the score at 0-0, players and staff from both teams shoved one another.

The Russian players then left the pitch, later followed by the Montenegrin team. A stadium announcement said the match would not resume.

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Russia's bid to win on the road at Podgorica City Stadium in Montenegro initially continued without Akinfeev as doctors evaluated him at the hospital.

UEFA doctor Slobo Mandic had an update on Akinfeev, per the Daily Mail, saying Akinfeev remained conscious and that he hopes the goalkeeper will be fine. He also noted that Akinfeev wore a neck brace as a precaution.

The 28-year-old is the captain for the Russian Premier League's reigning champions, CSKA Moscow, in addition to serving as the country's national team starter.