Leon rescues Real in Milan

SUBSTITUTE Pedro Leon struck an injury-time equaliser against AC Milan to send Real Madrid through to the last 16 of the Champions League and preserve the Spanish club’s unbeaten record under coach Jose Mourinho.

Milan replacement Filippo Inzaghi looked to have consigned Madrid to defeat after netting twice in the second half to help the Italian outfit overturn a 1-0 deficit, given to Madrid by Gonzalo Higuain just before half-time.

With Mourinho set to suffer a losing return to San Siro where he enjoyed success with Inter, Leon popped up in the fourth minute of added time to drill an equaliser.

The result means Madrid are guaranteed a place in the last 16.

In-form Madrid looked much the more likely scorers for large periods. Xabi Alonso fired a 30-yard volley just wide, Angel Di Maria hit the outside of the post when he perhaps should have done better before Andrea Pirlo produced two goal-saving headers to deny Higuain and Di Maria.

Mourinho’s side made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. Di Maria charged in from the left wing and threaded a superb disguised pass into fellow Argentinian Higuain, who collected possession by the penalty spot before sliding his shot past the unprotected Abbiati.

But on 68 minutes Milan equalised through veteran Inzaghi, who took advantage of some poor defending from Madrid to net his 45th Champions League goal. Pepe made a mess of a clearance, Casillas could only parry Ibrahimovic’s cross up into the air, allowing Inzaghi the easy task of heading home from close range.

Just 10 minutes later Inzaghi netted what looked like being the winner. He looked offside but the flag stayed down and Inzaghi got to the ball before Ricardo Carvalho and Casillas to slide the ball in.

But Real refused to give up and Leon latched onto Karim Benzema’s neat pass before drilling his shot through Abbiati’s legs.

AC MILAN: Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Boateng, Pirlo, Gattuso (Seedorf 85), Alexandre Pato (Ambrosini 72), Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho (Inzaghi 59).

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe (Pedro Leon 80), Carvalho, Marcelo, Alonso, Khedira, Ronaldo, Ozil (Albiol 90), Di Maria, Higuain (Benzema 73).

Ref: Howard Webb (England).