Barcelona in last 16

Milan: Spanish champions Barcelona reached the Champions League knockout phase with two games to spare, despite being held 1-1 by a spirited Inter Milan in a dramatic finish at the San Siro.

Barcelona, without the injured Lionel Messi, took a late lead when substitute Malcom scored moments after coming on.

But Inter levelled when Mauro Icardi was given time to turn in the Barca box and blast in from close range.

Inter remain second in Group B, three points ahead of Tottenham.

With Inter and Tottenham still to meet again, it means one of these sides will drop points and therefore only one can to overhaul Barcelona.

When the Champions League group stage draw was made in the summer, many eyes were immediately drawn to a group which was generally considered as one of the toughest in the competition. Barcelona, however, have made relatively light work of it.

The Spanish champions are considered one of the favourites for the tournament - although second behind Manchester City with many bookmakers - but have not progressed past the quarter-final stage since winning in 2015.

And they knew a victory in the San Siro would seal their place in the knockout stage as group winners for a 12th season in a row.

Without Messi, who travelled to Italy following an arm injury but was ultimately not risked, the visitors controlled an engrossing game against an Inter side which had won nine of their previous 10 games.