Barcelona cruise into last 16 after Inter stalemate
Barcelona became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League despite conceding late in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Inter.
The Blaugrana cannot drop out of the top two places in Group B due to a superior head-to-head record over the Nerazzurri. They can, however, finish as group winners with a win at PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 5.
| # | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | Inter | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| 4 | PSV | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -6 | 1 |
Mauro Icardi denied the visitors a fourth win out of four with another one of his trademark finishes from close range. He’s made a habit of rescuing Inter this season in the final quarter of regular time. On this occasion, he popped up in the 87th minute to slide home a loose ball in the penalty area.
The prolific Argentine canceled out Malcom’s first goal for Barcelona, which he scored just minutes after replacing Ousmane Dembele.
It was the least Barcelona deserved for a thoroughly dominant performance at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Ernesto Valverde’s side fired 26 shots toward goal, forcing phenomenal Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic into seven saves.
Handanovic denied several attempts from the in-form Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho and blocked a point-blank effort from midfielder Ivan Rakitic midway through the second half.
The resistance ended when Malcom froze Inter defender Kwadwo Asamoah with a slick drop of the shoulder and a quick release. The goal capped a wonderful move that began with Barcelona ‘keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen only seconds earlier.
As he’s wont to do, Icardi emerged from the shadows and made an impact. Although he was ineffective for the majority of the 90 minutes, he stepped forward when Inter needed him most.
The draw keeps Inter in second place in Group B with seven points, just three ahead of third-placed Tottenham after their own 2-1 comeback win over PSV.
Spurs host the Serie A outfit at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 28 in a match that will determine the fate of each side.
