Inter 1 Barcelona 1: Blaugrana through despite Icardi leveller

Mauro Icardi rescued Inter a point at home to Barcelona, who progressed to the Champions League knockout stages despite the late setback.

Published : Nov 07, 2018 04:06 IST

Returning to former club Inter, Philippe Coutinho's close control around the penalty area gave Milan Skriniar and his team-mates nightmares, before a brilliant break and pass teed up Malcom's strike.
Returning to former club Inter, Philippe Coutinho's close control around the penalty area gave Milan Skriniar and his team-mates nightmares, before a brilliant break and pass teed up Malcom's strike.
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Returning to former club Inter, Philippe Coutinho's close control around the penalty area gave Milan Skriniar and his team-mates nightmares, before a brilliant break and pass teed up Malcom's strike.

Barcelona secured its place in the Champions League last 16 despite late drama in a 1-1 draw against Inter at a rain-soaked San Siro.

The Blaugrana looked set to register a fourth victory from four Group B matches when Malcom netted his first goal for the club seven minutes from time. However, Mauro Icardi - otherwise anonymous as Inter struggled to trouble Barca - pounced to strike following a goalmouth scramble three minutes later. His goal turned out to be crucial for Inter as Tottenham defeated PSV elsewhere.

Barca was still able to celebrate a place in the next round thanks to its superior head-to-head record against Inter, but this was a frustrating evening as it missed Lionel Messi's ruthless nature in the final third.

Key Highlights

Ousmane Dembele drew an early stop from Samir Handanovic and Luis Suarez then curled one effort just over the top and sent a delicate lob wide, with Barcelona in control of proceedings from the off.

A sloppy start from Inter included a poor close-range Kwadwo Asamoah miss, but the majority of the chances continued to fall at the other end and Handanovic was again alert as the dangerous Suarez fizzed in a low strike shortly before half-time. Handanovic turned away a Philippe Coutinho drive following the restart, before the goalkeeper blocked Ivan Rakitic's tame finish, with Suarez furious that his goal seconds later was in vain as the ball was ruled to have gone behind for a corner.

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The breakthrough finally came just after Malcom's introduction in place of Dembele, charging through on the right to meet Coutinho's pass and shoot beyond Handanovic.

But Barca was denied the three points as Icardi finally saw a ball drop at his feet in the area, swivelling to bury the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to the delirium of the home fans.

What does it mean? Barca through but defensive worries persist

Barcelona wasted chance after chance. Icardi and Inter did not. The visitor looked Champions League contender throughout the contest, yet it should have been able to see the game out. The Nerazzurri scarcely came forward but still managed to find a route back into the game, with confusion at the back for Barca. That should worry Ernesto Valverde going forward.

Coutinho controls second half

Arthur was sublime in the first 45 minutes, patrolling the midfield, before compatriot Coutinho came to the fore after the break. Returning to former club Inter, his close control around the penalty area gave Milan Skriniar and his team-mates nightmares, before a brilliant break and pass teed up Malcom's strike.

Inter struggle to supply Icardi

Inter's chances were always going to be limited, but Icardi took the only one that came his way. The delivery to the Nerazzurri's main man was too often poor, with Sime Vrsaljko - so impressive at the World Cup - particularly wasteful when given time and space. Inter needs its captain involved to make strides in this competition.

What's next?

Inter's attention now returns to chasing down champions Juventus in Serie A, with a tricky trip to Atalanta up next. LaLiga leader Barcelona welcomes Real Betis to Camp Nou on Sunday.

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