Anorthosis Famagusta enjoyed another famous Champions League night as they drew 3-3 with Inter Milan.
Cyrpiot champions keep qualification hopes alive
European minnows Anorthosis Famagusta enjoyed another famous UEFA Champions League night as they drew 3-3 with Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.
Anorthosis were only 10 minutes away from a remarkable victory in Nicosia, but despite being denied by Julio Cruz's late equaliser they remain second in Group B with a chance of making the last 16.
Inter twice led as they looked for the victory that would guarantee them qualification to the knock-out phase.
But Anorthosis brilliantly battled back and after levelling at 2-2 by half-time they went in front through Nikolaos Frousos' 50th-minute goal.
Embarrass
The Cypriot champions looked as though they would hold on to embarrass Mourinho's men but the former Chelsea boss sent on Cruz, who spared their blushes when he headed in a free-kick from Mario Balotelli.
Two weeks ago in Italy, Inter had beaten the side managed by former Newcastle midfielder Temuri Ketsbaia 1-0 and the return game looked to be going to form when Balotelli tapped in after Arian Beqaj had failed to hold a Zlatan Ibrahimovic free-kick.
But Anorthosis gave a taste of things to come when they made it 1-1 after half an hour when a terrible mix-up in the Italians' defence let in Cedric Bardon to score.
Marco Materazzi restored Inter's lead in the 44th-minute when he headed in from a corner but in first-half stoppage time the home side was level again when a fortunate ricochet off the head of substitute Georgios Panagi found the back of the net.
Nightmare
Inter's nightmare then worsened five minutes after the break when more weak defending from Nicolas Burdisso allowed Frousos to put Anorthosis ahead with a crisp finish.
The underdogs looked the most likely to score again at the stage but as they tired Inter's growing pressure paid off with Cruz's goal.
Beqaj was at fault as he allowed the Argentinian to head home but did save his team a point with an incredible late block from Esteban Cambiasso to cap a night of high drama.
| Anorthosis Famagusta |
Team Statistics |
Internazionale |
| 3 |
Goals |
3 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
10 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 5 |
Corners |
6 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 73.4 |
Passing Success |
83.4 |
| 15 |
Tackles |
20 |
| 73.3 |
Tackles Success |
60 |
| 44 |
Possession |
56 |
| 44.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
55.7 |
|
