Julio Cesar rescues point for 10-man Inter

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved a last-minute penalty to rescue a point for 10-man Inter away to Brescia last night.

Samuel Eto’o scored his 31st goal of the season to give the champions a first-half lead before Andrea Caracciolo equalised six minutes from time.

But then substitute Ivan Cordoba was sent-off for bringing down Eder in the box only for Cesar to save Caracciolo’s spot-kick.

In a bizarre finish, Caracciolo then also received his marching orders for a second yellow card.

The point means Milan could extend their Serie A lead to seven points if they beat rock-bottom Bari tomorrow.

Brescia remain second from bottom.

The champions went in front on 18 minutes as Wesley Sneijder’s corner was flicked on by Andrea Ranocchia and Eto’o prodded home from inside the six-yard box.

Brescia’s best chance of an uninspiring first half came on 34 minutes as Panagiotis Kone played the ball into the box where Caracciolo lifted it over Cesar but also the bar.

And the big striker was quickly involved again at the start of the second half as he got across his marker to head a right-wing cross just over the bar.

Brescia equalised on 84 minutes when Alessandro Diamanti’s corner was headed back into the danger zone by Zebina and Caracciolo headed home from close range.

Then came the late drama as Diamanti sent Eder running in on goal and Cordoba clipped him from behind, earning a straight red card.

But Cesar plunged to his right to stop Caracciolo’s penalty and earn a vital point.

Deep into injury time Caracciolo was dismissed before Stankovic got back to save Inter after Eder had rounded Cesar.