Inter reach knockout stages after beating Rubin

Inter battled into the Champions League last 16 after goals from forwards Samuel Eto'o and Mario Balotelli secured a 2-0 home win over eliminated Rubin Kazan on Wednesday.

The Italian champions needed a win in their final Group F game to guarantee their passage and although their play was again far from fluent, they did enough to dump the Russians out.

Evergreen captain Javier Zanetti, filling in at left back for the suspended Cristian Chivu, showed dogged determination when surrounded by defenders in the corner and Balotelli cut the ball back for Eto'o to smash home on the half hour mark.

Balotelli, a surprise starter in an attacking front three, had another frustrating match before blasting in a 35-metre free kick just after the hour to spark a party atmosphere at the San Siro.