Relief for Jose Mourinho as Inter make it through

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 00:19

INTER Milan coach Jose Mourinho breathed a sigh of relief as his side beat Rubin Kazan 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Knowing a win would be enough to see them advance from Group F, Mourinho named an attack-minded side and his gamble paid off when Samuel Eto'o scored his first goal in the competition this season on the half-hour mark.

Mourinho, who was sent to the stands during the weekend Serie A defeat to Juventus, then watched as Mario Balotelli fired home an audacious swerving free-kick in the 64th minute to ensure his side's progress.

Lionel Messi's brilliant late free-kick helped Barcelona recover from a nightmare start to beat Dynamo Kiev and secure top spot in Group F.

With Inter Milan on their way to a win in the other group match, a draw would have been enough for Barca to finish top courtesy of their better head-to-head record against the Italians, but the reigning European champions took all three points thanks to Messi's 86th-minute goal.

Dynamo got the perfect start when they took the lead inside the opening 90 seconds through Artem Milevskiy with the first attack of the game.

However, Pep Guardiola's side showed why they are the best team in Europe – and could make a clean sweep of all six major trophies in 2009 if they win the Fifa Club World Cup – by reacting to that early setback with typical panache.

Xavi drew Barca level in the 33rd minute. Eric Abidal's low cross into the six-yard box was inch-perfect for Xavi and the Barca playmaker slid into divert the ball past Shovkovskiy.

The match looked to be heading for a draw until Messi popped up late on to earn Barca the win.

The Argentine world player of the year added another wonder goal to his impressive collection as he curled a 25-yard free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar for his 11th goal in all competitions this season.

Barca's late winner saw Rubin pip Dynamo to third spot and a place in the Europa League.

Goalkeeper Sinan Bolat scored an injury-time header with the last attack of the match to give Standard Liege a 1-1 draw with AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League and salvage a place in the Europa League.

With Standard's European campaign seconds from ending, Bolat sprinted forward for a last-second free-kick and headed powerfully past goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

"This is crazy, I still can't believe it," Bolat said. "I thought I'll take a chance and head upfield."

AZ Alkmaar, with caretaker coach Martin Haar in charge before he hands over the reins to former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, had held the lead for more than 50 minutes after Jeremain Lens scored in the 42nd minute.