Final score

7 December 2004 20:45

Inter
18' (2nd half) Martins
15' (2nd half) Martins
33' Cruz
Anderlecht
Referee: Michael Riley / Linesmen: P.Sharp, M. Tingey / Fourth official: U. Rennie
Minute Text commentary
46' Inter lead Anderlecht by a goal to nil after the first half.
45' 1 minute of added time to play.
45' Martins' near-post header from the corner is deflected out for another corner. Materazzi's header is over the bar.
45' Davids, Recoba and Pasquale combine on the left. The latter is tackled by Kompany as he attempts a cross and we win a corner.
44' Recoba looks for Cruz with a high ball into the Anderlecht box. But it's over the Argentine's head and Kompany heads back to Van Steenberghe.
43' Vanderhaeghe clears Recoba's inswinger.
42' Free kick to Inter wide on the right wing after Kara is tripped by Vanderhaeghe.
40' Inter move forward and Giovanni Pasquale tries an ambitious shot from 30 yards. It's way off target.
39' Anderlecht win an attacking throw-in on the right wing. The ball falls to Aruna who is forced to pass back as the Nerazzurri close down their opponents.
37' The Belgians break but the Nerazzurri defend in numbers and there's just no way through. The ball is played wide to Zewkalow, who from the right wing crosses over to the far side. Aruna gets a touch but it goes out for a goal kick.
36' Fabian Carini comes off his line to collect Legear's cross from the left.
35' Traore cuts out Pasquale's ball into the box for Martins as Inter push for a second goal.
34' Hasi is booked for tripping Giorgos. Free kick to us over 40 yards out.
33' GOOOAAALLL!!!!! Julio Cruz finds the bottom right-hand corner with a right-footed shot after a wonderful piece of skill by Alvaro Recoba.
31' Anderlecht substitution: Vanden Borre replaces Deschacht.
29' Zewlakow beats Julio Cruz to a Karagounis cross from the right and heads clear.
28' Pasquale does well to tackle WIlhelmsson on the right but the Anderlecht winger wins the ball back then plays to Vanderhaeghe in the Inter box. The Belgian number 4 is immediately tackled.
27' Vanderhaeghe blasts over after receiving a cut-back from Baseggio.
26' Recoba fails to convert a superb through ball from Cristiano Zanetti.
24' Karagounis' right-wing corner to the near post is cleared by Vanderhaeghe.
23' Legear fouls Ze Maria on the left-wing by-line and it's an Inter free kick.
23' Inter win another free kick, this time in the Anderlecht half, after Martins is fouled.
21' El Chino curls his free kick over the wall... Van Steenberghe gets down to make the save.
20' The Nerazzurri win a free kick in a central position 40 yards out.
20' Good chance for Inter. Ze Maria plays to Oba to the right of the Belgian goal then the Nigerian hooks the ball across the six-yard box. Van Steenberghe anticipates Cruz and punches clear.
18' Davids opens up play for Giovanni Pasquale on the right wing but Anderlecht defender Vincent Kompany gets there first.
17' Inter work a move on the right wing. Karagounis plays to Ze Maria, who crosses into the box. Martins fails to control the ball and Les Mauves win possession.
15' Edgar Davids' cross from the left wing is too long for Oba Martins and Anderlecht win a defensive throw-in.
15' Anderlecht come forward and Deschacht fires wide after playing the ball through the legs of Giorgos Karagounis.
14' Captain for the evening Marco Materazzi finds Alvaro Recoba with a beautiful long ball to the right flank, but El Chino is flagged offside.
14' With Aruna ready to poach on the right, Nicolas Burdisso plays calmly back to Carini.
13' Alvaro Recoba's shot from the distance comes off Julio Cruz. Anderlecht win a goal kick.
11' Deschacht is brought down 30 yards out on the on the left wing. Hasi's free kick is headed out of defence by Julio Cruz.
10' At the other end Recoba passes to Martins in the Belgian box but the Nigerian can't coordinate and is intercepted.
10' The Belgians attack down the left channel. Legear floats his cross over the heads of Materazzi and Aruna, and into the hands of Carini.
9' Anderlecht attack again and Wilhelmsson takes on three Nerazzurri players before being stopped.
8' Aruna's header from the free kick isn't far over.
7' Wilhemsson wins a free kick for Anderlecht on the right wing after being brought down by Materazzi.
6' Legear's shot from 25 yards swerves well wide of the right post.
4' Inter close to an opening ggoal. Martins races on to a Recoba through ball then from a tight angle fires wide of the right post.
2' The Nerazzurri pass the ball around in the Anderlecht half. Martins tries a dummy but Recoba hasn't read the move and the Belgians come forward.
1' Anderlecht kick off tonight's Matchday 6 clash at the Meazza.
1' Giovanni Pasquale plays a one-two with Recoba on the left wing. The full-back races on to the ball but the Belgians win possession.
Minute Text commentary
46' That's all folks. Inter beat Anderlecht 3-0 and win Group G of the Champions League.
45' 1 minute of added time.
45' Inter break and Alvaro Recoba takes on three before having his final shot blocked.
45' Dellafiore plays out of defence to neutralise an Anderlecht attack.
43' Recoba races down the left then plays a brilliant cross into the area. Both Anderlecht defender Traore and Nerazzurri forward Cruz fail to connect.
41' Legear curls his shot wide of the right post as the visitors look to get at least a goal from this match.
40' Turkish midfielder Emre dribbles two white shirts then tries to take on a third, but without success.
39' Anderlecht move forward... Lovre's floated cross-shot from the right goes wide of the far post.
37' Cruz' near-post header from Recoba's corner is deflected out for another corner.
36' Anderlecht bring on Gerk for Hasi.
36' At the other end Inter win a corner after Cruz' header from Recoba's left-wing inswinger is blocked.
35' Hasi delivers the cross... Traore heads wide.
35' Davids brings down sub Lovre on the right wing. Free kick to Anderlecht.
34' The Anderlecht keeper gets a touch to Julio Cruz' low, diagonal shot from the left. Corner.
33' Van Steenberghe anticipates Cruz to Ze Maria's good ball in from the right.
30' Anderlecht defender Kompany cuts out Pasquale's ball forward for Cruz.
30' Anderlecht bring on Lovre for Wilhelmsson.
29' Recoba turns his marker and flicks the ball to Cruz, who is anticipated by Vincent Kompany.
29' Baseggio's weak header from inside the Nerazzurri box is easily collected by Carini.
27' Burdisso concedes a corner to deny Aruna a shot from close range.
25' Inter bring on Dellafiore for two-goal hero Martins. This Champions League Matchday 6 clash is the young defender's debut for Inter.
23' Burdisso plays forward to Julio Cruz, who takes on Kompany, advances then plays square to Recoba. El Chino's shot from the edge of the box is blocked.
22' Burdisso concedes a right-wing corner. Legear takes it quickly, plays a one-two with Wilhelmsson then has his cross blocked by Karagounis.
18' GOOOAALLLL!!!! Oba gets a second with an almost identical finish to his first goal. This time Emre is the provider.
15' 2-0!!!! Obafemi Martins controls Davids' long ball forward, turns Traore then doubles for Inter with a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner.
14' Emre replaces Cristiano Zanetti, who took a knock to his ankle during the clash with Baseggio.
12' Famous last words... The Uruguayan pulls off a great save from Hasi.
11' Hasi's cross into the box is caught by Fabian Carini, who hasn't had much to do tonight.
11' Baseggio wins a free kick for the visitors after a clash with C.Zanetti.
10' The Nerazzurri put together a good passing move in the Anderlecht half. It ends after Davids is brought down and we win a free kick 40 yards out.
8' Aruna turns Burdisso on the right side of the Inter goal then plays across the area. Materazzi blocks then Burdisso clears.
6' Julio Cruz's forward pass for Recoba is wayward. Van Steenberghe comes off his line and kicks the ball out for an Inter throw-in on the right.
5' Inter attack back and Oba Martins is well tackled by Kompany as he tries to wriggle free of three Anderlecht players.
4' Baseggio's knock back from Aruna's right-wing cross falls to Hasi, whose shot from outside the box is deflected out for a corner by Cristiano Zanetti.
3' Davids' follow-up header after Cruz fails to make clean contact with Ze Maria's right-wing cross is blocked by Zewlakow.
2' Karagounis has a good chance to increase Inter's lead but shoots over after being set up by Recoba.
2' Vanden Borre plays back to Van Steenberghe after Martins is knocked off the ball.
1' Cristiano Zanetti and Giorgos Karagounis kick off the second half.
Recoba
8.34
8.34
Zanetti
7.29
7.29
Materazzi
7.03
7.03
Emre
8.22
8.22
Pasquale
6.34
6.34
Martins
8.81
8.81
Karagounis
7.27
7.27
Cruz
7.44
7.44
Burdisso
7.07
7.07
Davids
7.43
7.43
Ze Maria
6.49
6.49
Dellafiore
7.35
7.35
Carini
7.85
7.85
Average rating 7.46
6 shots on target 3
5 shots off target 11
17 fouls committed 18
6 corners 3
3 offsides 1
30:30 ball possession 27:48
The referee: Michael Riley

English referee Michael Riley was born in Rotherham on 17 December 1964. An international referee since 1999, Riley resides in the city of Leeds and is a financial director by profession. His hobbies include alpinism and excursions. After Celta Vigo 0-0 AC Milan (2003/04 Champions League), AC Milan 1-2 Deportivo (2003/04 Champions League) and Dynamo Kiev 2-0 Roma (2004/05 Champions League), Inter v Anderlecht is Riley's fourth match in charge of an Italian club and first with the Nerazzurri. Inter will be refereed in a European competition by an Englishman for the 25th time (13 Nerazzurri wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats from the other 24 matches). The last one was the 1-1 draw away to Basel, refereed by Graham Poll.

Inter v Anderlecht

Inter and Anderlecht face each other in a competitive fixture for the 8th time (4 Nerazzurri wins, 1 draw and 2 Belgian victories from the other 7 matches). None of the three previous meetings in Milan has finished in a draw (2 Inter wins and 1 Anderlecht victory). The Belgians have scored at least 1 goal in each of those matches at the San Siro (total 4 goals).

In detail:

1967/68 Piano Rappan Cup Inter-Anderlecht 2-1 1-3
1969/70 Fairs Cup Inter-Anderlecht 0-2 1-0
1996/97 Uefa Cup Inter-Anderlecht 2-1 1-1
2004/05 Champions League Inter-Anderlecht ---- 3-1

Inter v Belgian clubs

Inter have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 4 of their 11 competitive matches against Belgian clubs.

In detail:

1967/68 Piano Rappan Cup Inter-Anderlecht 2-1 1-3
1969/70 Fairs Cup Inter-Anderlecht 0-2 1-0
1971/72 European Cup Inter-Standard 1-0 1-2
1978/79 Cup Winners' Cup Inter- Beveren 0-0 0-1
1996/97 Uefa Cup Inter-Anderlecht 2-1 1-1
2004/05 Champions League Inter-Anderlecht ---- 3-1

Anderlecht v Italian clubs

Anderlecht have won 9, drawn 9 and lost 13 of their 31 competitive games against teams from Italy. On Italian soil the reigning Belgian champs have played 14 matches, with 8 defeats, 5 draws and just 1 win, a 2-0 victory over Inter in the 1969/70 Fairs Cup thanks to a Bergholtz brace.

In detail:

1964/65 European Cup Anderlecht- Bologna 1-0 1-2 0-0 (in Barcelona)
1967/68 Piano Rappan Cup Anderlecht-Inter 3-1 1-2
1969/70 Fairs Cup Anderlecht-Inter 0-1 2-0
1971/72 Uefa Cup Anderlecht- Bologna 0-2 1-1
1976/77 Cup Winners' Cup Anderlecht-Napoli 2-0 0-1
1981/82 European Cup Anderlecht- Juventus 3-1 1-1
1984/85 Uefa Cup Anderlecht- Fiorentina 6-2 1-1
1989/90 Cup Winners' Cup Anderlecht-Sampdoria 0-2 (in Gothenburg)
1990/91 Uefa Cup Anderlecht-Roma 2-3 0-3
1991/92 European Cup Anderlecht- Sampdoria 3-2 0-2
1993/94 Champions League Anderlecht-AC Milan 0-0 0-0
1996/97 Uefa Cup Anderlecht-Inter 1-1 1-2
1999/00 Uefa Cup Anderlecht- Bologna 2-1 0-3
2000/01 Champions League Anderlecht-Lazio 1-0 1-2
2001/02 Champions League Anderlecht-Roma 0-0 1-1
2004/05 Champions League Anderlecht-Inter 1-3 ----

Inter stretch unbeaten run to 24 matches

The Nerazzurri haven't lost a competitive fixture since last 2 May when they were beaten 2-1 at Lecce. Since then, Inter have played 24 matches in the Serie A, Champions League and Tim Cup, recording 10 wins and 14 draws.

No Eurogoal against Inter at San Siro for 221'

Inter haven't let in a goal in Champions League home matches for 221 minutes, since the 49th minute of Inter 4-1 Basel last 24 August when Sterjovski scored for the Swiss side. The Nerazzurri have remained invincible for the remaining 41 minutes of that match plus the entire games against Werder Bremen and Valencia.

Inter close to record series of positive results

Inter haven't lost in the Champions League since 25 November 2003 when they were beaten 5-1 at home to Arsenal. Since then the Nerazzurri have notched 8 consecutive positive results (4 wins and 4 draws), and take a step closer to their record run of positive results (10 wins and 2 draws from September 1963 to February 1965). Inter's 1-0 defeat away to Glasgow Rangers on 3 March 1965 was their first in the European Cup.

Vieri fifth all-time Inter scorer in European Cup

With his strike against Valencia in the 2004/05 Champions League, Christian Vieri brings his tally for Inter in Europe's most prestigious cup competition to 6 goals. The striker is now fifth in the all-time list of Nerazzurri scorers in the Champions League/European Cup, behind Mazzola (16 goals), Jair (11), Crespo (9) and Adriano (7).

Anderlecht in Europe: 3 wins in 12 games

Anderlecht haven't drawn a European cup competition match since 30 September 2003 when they played out a 1-1 draw at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Since then the reigning Belgian champions have recorded 3 victories and 8 defeats, and have lost all 5 of their 2004/05 Group G games. Les Mauves' last European win was the 3-0 victory over Trapattoni's Benfica in the qualifying round in August. Away from home, Anderlecht have registered 6 consecutive defeats, their last positive result a 1-0 win away to Wisla on 26 August 2003.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(1) draws(0) defeats(0)
MILAN - Inter finish top of Uefa Champions League Group G thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Anderlecht in Tuesday's Matchday 6 clash at the Meazza. Werder Bremen beat Valencia 2-0 at the Mestalla to qualify for the knockout stage as runners-up.

Julio Cruz opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner after a splendid piece of skill by Alvaro Recoba put the Argentine through on goal.

Obafemi Martins added a brace in the second half with clinical finishes from excellent through balls by Davids and Emre to make sure the Belgians finish their 2004/05 European campaign without a point.

The Nerazzurri are back on the road this Sunday afternoon with a trip to Siena in Week 15 of the Serie A.

INTER 3-0 ANDERLECHT (HT:1-0)

Scorers: Cruz 33, Martins 60, 63

INTER: 15 Carini, 3 Burdisso, 6 C.Zanetti (5 Emre 59), 8 Davids, 9 Cruz, 13 Ze Maria, 20 Recoba, 21 Karagounis, 23 Materazzi (capt.), 26 Pasquale, 30 Martins (38 Dellafiore)
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 4 J.Zanetti, 7 van der Meyde, 19 Cambiasso, 32 Vieri
Coach: Roberto Mancini

ANDERLECHT: 25 Van Steenberghe, 3 Deschacht (37 Vanden Borre 31), 4 Vanderhaeghe, 6 Zewlakow, 36 Legear, 10 Baseggio (capt.), 15 Hasi (28 Gerk 83), 17 Wilhelmsson (7 Lovre 75), 26 Aruna, 27 Kompany, 34 Traore
Subs not used: 21 Zetterberg, 22 Iachtchouk
Coach: Hugo Broos

Referee: Michael Riley (Eng)

Bookings: Hasi 34

Uefa Champions League Group G standings:
Inter 14 pts
Werder Bremen 13
Valencia 7
Anderlecht 0

starting lineups

Carini 15 Van Steenberghe
Burdisso 3 Deschacht
Zanetti 6 Vanderhaeghe
Davids 8 Zewlakow
Cruz 9 Legear
Ze Maria 13 Baseggio
Recoba 20 Hasi
Karagounis 21 Wilhelmsson
Materazzi 23 Aruna
Pasquale 26 Kompany
Martins 30 Traore

substitutes

Toldo 1 Lovre
Zanetti 4 Zetterberg
Emre 5 Iachtchouk
Van Der Meyde 7 Gerk
Cambiasso 19 Vanden Borre
Vieri 32
Dellafiore 38