Sneijder strike in vain

Boateng: Stole Sneijder's thunder with winning goal for AC Milan in Beijing

Wesley Sneijder showed his value to Inter Milan with a goal in the Italian Super Cup, only for AC Milan to come from behind and prevail 2-1.

The season curtain-raiser took place in Beijing between Serie A champions AC and Coppa Italia winners Inter.

With reports continuing to surround the future of Sneijder and a possible move to the Premier League, the Holland playmaker was always going to be the main attraction and did not disappoint as he scored a wonderful first-half free-kick.

But the goal would not prove to be the winner, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised against his former club, before Kevin-Prince Boateng scored the winner with 22 minutes left.

Sneijder was in the thick of the action from the off, hitting wide after a one-two with Samuel Eto'o, while Robinho was off target at the other end.

Pressure

Inter looked the livelier of the sides, with Dejan Stankovic going close and, in the 21st minute, their pressure told when Sneijder curled home a 25-yard free-kick.

Eto'o worked Christian Abbitati at his near post as Inter looked for a second, while Ibrahimovic nearly levelled when he hit the post with a header.

Milan stepped up the pace in the second half and were able to score on the hour, with Clarence Seedorf forcing his way into the box and Ibrahimovic perfectly poised to convert.

With Inter rocking, Milan took full advantage and took the lead when, after Alexandre Pato's effort had been tipped on to the post by Julio Cesar, Boateng was on hand to score from close range.