CSKA Moscow struck late to defeat Inter Milan 2-1 and secure a spot in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Late Berezutski goal seals spot in knockout stages
CSKA Moscow struck late to defeat Inter Milan 2-1 and secure a spot in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Inter had already qualified as group winners, but any of the remaining three teams in Group B could have clinched second place.
With Lille and Trabzonspor finishing goalless, CSKA jumped from fourth above both in the standings to book a place in the last 16.
Seydou Doumbia put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute but just seconds later Esteban Cambiasso levelled for Inter Milan.
It looked like the Russian club would be going out of Europe until defender Vasili Berezutski popped up in the 87th minute to score the winner.
Against a side whose qualification as winners was already assured, the visitors had pressed from the start with Vagner Love having a third minute shot blocked in the box by the busy Andrea Ranocchia.
Ranocchia also blocked an effort from 12 yards from Doumbia, and as the Russians continued to press forward in the early stages, a drive from Pavel Mamaev was blocked by Cristian Chivu.
Inter did not manage to threaten the Moscow goal until the 12th minute when, shortly after Diego Milito had been ruled offside, Yuto Nagamoto saw his shot saved by visiting keeper Vladimir Gabulov.
Pressure
A spell of Inter pressure was soaked up by the Russian defence, with Deividas Semberas booting clear a Philippe Coutinho corner before Love saw a 25-yard effort flash past the post at the other end.
Love had a shot parried on the half-hour and Nagatomo's effort was saved by Gabulov as the action swung from end to end with neither side managing to take a firm grip on proceedings.
Love had one of the best chances of the night in the 34th minute when Love headed Alan Dzagoev's free-kick over the bar from six yards, and CSKA almost paid when Nagamoto saw a long-range effort tipped round by the post by Gabulov.
Love missed with another point-blank header just before the break and there was still chance for Inter to almost claim an interval lead when Davide Faraoni saw his cross punched away by the busy Gabulov.
The visitors finally made their breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Love crossed from the right and Doumbia pounced to send a right-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.
But the Russians' hopes were swiftly dampened by a lightning Inter response, Cambiasso equalising less than a minute later after Ranocchia headed into his path in the penalty area.
Moscow went straight back on the offensive with Love's close-range shot blocked by Ranocchia and Dzagoev's follow-up from six yards brilliant tipped around the post by Castellazzi.
Milito and Ranocchia both forced saves out of Gabulov from headers and after Love had shot wide Inter had a glorious chance to take the lead when Milito headed Javier Zanetti's cross against the bar.
CSKA seized their lifeline when Berezutsky headed home Cauna's corner three minutes from time, leaving only the final whistle in Lille to confirm their place in the last 16.
| Internazionale |
Team Statistics |
CSKA Moscow |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 2 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 6 |
Corners |
8 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
10 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 77.8 |
Passing Success |
79.5 |
| 31 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 67.7 |
Tackles Success |
88.9 |
| 48.6 |
Possession |
51.4 |
| 43.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
56.3 |
| 419 |
Total Passes |
444 |
| 20 |
Total Crosses |
24 |
| 168 |
Lost Balls |
174 |
| 62 |
Recoveries |
67 |
| 50.5 |
1st Half Poss. |
49.5 |
| 46.3 |
2nd Half Poss. |
53.7 |
|
