AC Milan 2 - 2 Real Madrid: Late Pedro Leon Goal Shares The Spoils In Milan

Real Madrid were ultimately unable to break the spell that hangs over them at the San Siro, having never beaten AC Milan on their own patch, relying on a late Pedro Leon goal in the 93rd minute to seal their passage to the knockout stages. It was no less than the Spanish side deserved after a dominant display which more than underlined their Champions League credentials under the stewardship of Mourinho. At one point it looked like Filipo Inzaghis frantic double after coming on as a substitute had turned the match in Milans favour, until Pedro Leon popped up to flash in a last-gasp equaliser and send Jose Mourinho flying down the touchline.

AC Milan had been under the cosh during a first half in which Real Madrid outplayed their hosts, attacking with gusto through Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria. Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso controlled the midfield with unerring ease, while Pepe and Carvalho left Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimovic feeding off scraps. And there was a not too dissimilar pattern to the match during the early period of the second half, until Real Madrid made the fatal error of easing off after the hour mark.

A second goal would have killed off the Italians, yet the ‘Rosonerri’ were allowed a route back into the match when Pepe inexplicably slipped when attempting to clear a long ball, setting Ibrahimovic free in the area. The Swedes cross should have been dealt with by Iker Casillas, yet he somehow contrived to spoon the ball up in the air allowing a pumped up Inzaghi to steal in and nod Milan level.

Referee Howard Webb did little to enhance his battered reputation with the Spanish, first failing to punish Inzaghi for a blatant barge on Xavi Alonso and then for allowing a second goal from the same man when he was clearly a metre offside. It was the Italian legends 70th goal in the Champions League, a goal which saw him overtake Real Madrids Raúl as the competitions all-time topscorer.

AC Milan had been dead and buried, yet suddenly they found themselves on the verge of a vital win. That was until a rejuvenated Karim Benzema slipped in Pedro Leon, the ex-Getafe man smashing the ball in through Abbiatis legs. Auxerres win over Ajax in the other Group G match meant that Pedro Leons goal saw Madrid seal their route into the next round with two games to spare.