Messi-Less Barcelona Punch Last 16 Ticket In Inter Draw
7th November 2018
Argentina star who had travelled to Italy ruled out but teammates rally for 1-1 draw that sails them through to next phase at the San Siro
- Ernesto Valverde's side, who stay top of Group B with 10 points, three ahead of Inter and six away from third-placed Spurs, go through due to their strong head-to-head record with both rivals
- Inter struggled to string passes together under the weight of Barca's pressing, and Handanovic had to be at his best to stop fine efforts from Luis Suarez and former Inter player Philippe Coutinho putting the away side ahead before the break
- Icardi rewarded Handanovic for his outstanding display by grabbing the equaliser at the death, taking advantage of confusion in the Barca penalty area to spin and fire home a dramatic equaliser
MILAN, Italy- Barcelona qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League despite Mauro Icardi snatching a late 1-1 draw for Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
Icardi struck in the 87th minute to grab the draw just four minutes after a neat curling strike from substitute Malcom gave Barca the lead.
Ernesto Valverde's side, who stay top of Group B with 10 points, three ahead of Inter and six away from third-placed Spurs, go through due to their strong head-to-head record with both rivals.
Barca were on the front foot from kick-off
and Ousmane Dembele forced Inter keeper Samir Handanovic into the first of a
series of fine saves with a sharp curling strike just a minute into the game.
Complete command
That dominance continued throughout the first period as Barca had almost complete command of the ball and goalscoring chances, Inter's sole opportunity coming in the 19th minute when Kwadwo Asamoah flashed over Ivan Perisic's low cross.
Inter struggled to string passes together under the weight of Barca's pressing, and Handanovic had to be at his best to stop fine efforts from Luis Suarez and former Inter player Philippe Coutinho putting the away side ahead before the break.
The Slovenia international made his best save just before the hour mark when he charged out to block Ivan Rakitic's shot as the Croatian bore down on goal, but made a host of other saves that kept Inter in the game.
Icardi rewarded Handanovic for his outstanding display by grabbing the equaliser at the death, taking advantage of confusion in the Barca penalty area to spin and fire home a dramatic equaliser.