UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER FINALS, SECOND LEG: CSKA Moscow 0 Inter Milan 1:WESLEY SNEIJDER propelled Inter Milan to their first Champions League semi-final since 2003 when his early goal gave them victory over CSKA Moscow in the second leg of their last-eight clash yesterday.
The in-form playmaker fired the visitors ahead less than six minutes into the game when his low, 20-metre free-kick skidded under CSKA’s defensive wall and evaded goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.
With Inter holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Sneijder’s goal all but killed the home team’s chances as the Italian champions held firm for a comfortable 2-0 win on aggregate.
CSKA’s Nigerian defender Chidi Odiah was sent off in the 49th minute after he picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Samuel Eto’o.
Sneijder’s appearance had been in doubt after he hurt his left ankle in Monday’s training, while Inter’s Brazilian central defender Lucio was back in the starting line-up after being suspended for the first leg.
The Russians, without suspended midfielders Milos Krasic and Yevgeny Aldonin, also lost central defender Vasily Berezutsky early on with a thigh injury.
But after a nervous opening, they finally got into the game and Czech forward Tomas Necid had the first real opportunity for the hosts midway through the half, but his low strike from the edge of the box just missed the far post.
CSKA playmaker Alan Dzagoyev also wasted an excellent chance just after half an hour.
Inter nearly doubled the lead right after, but Akinfeyev made a fine stop from Diego Milito’s close-range strike.
With CSKA having to score three times to progress, their chances all but disappeared after they were reduced to 10 men.
Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a great diving save from Mark Gonzalez’s powerful drive, while at the other end Akinfeyev again denied on-rushing Milito.
CSKA MOSCOW:Akinfeev, Alexei Berezutsky, Vasili Berezutsky (Odiah 14), Ignashevich, Shchennikov, Honda (Rahimic 77), Semberas, Mamaev, Dzagoev, Gonzalez, Necid (Guilherme 71). Subs not used: Chepchugov, Nababkin, Piliev, Oliseh. Booked: Odiah, Mamaev.
INTER MILAN:Julio Cesar, Maicon, Samuel, Lucio, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Sneijder (Muntari 86), Stankovic, Eto'o, Milito (Balotelli 74), Pandev (Chivu 63). Subs not used: Orlandoni, Cordoba, Quaresma, Materazzi. Booked: Stankovic.
Referee:Stephane Lannoy (France).
