Late Palacio winner edges Inter past Partizan

Rodrigo Palacio scored the only goal two minutes from time as FC Internazionale Milano took a giant step towards qualification from UEFA Europa League Group H by overcoming FK Partizan.

The Nerazzurri were heading for their fourth home game without a win in the competition until the forward turned in a cross from fellow substitute Diego Milito. The upshot is that the Serie A side are now six points clear of third-placed Neftçi PFK with three matches remaining.

Inter started brightly, and after four minutes Nikola Petrović had to dive to his right to palm away a powerful Jonathan shot which seemed destined for the top corner. Soon after, Coutinho narrowly missed the target with a right-footed volley following Álvaro Pereira's left-wing cross.

Having weathered the early onslaught, Partizan began to enjoy plenty of possession, with Lazar Marković a constant threat to the home defence. In one incursion into opposition territory, the 18-year-old swept past Jonathan wide on the left but was unfortunate to see his low shot rebound off the far post.

Marković continued to shine for Partizan. Early in the second half, he dribbled past Esteban Cambiasso and released a chipped pass for Aleksandar Mitrović, which proved just too long for his strike partner.

Petrović saved well from Matías Silvestre's close-range effort, before Palacio should have done better when he miscued in front of goal. The 30-year-old then sent Antonio Cassano one-on-one with Petrović, but the Italy striker fired over with the goal at his mercy.

Partizan had a great chance to score when Samir Handanovič rushed out to block a Marković shot following a swift counterattack – and that miss was promptly punished at the death by Palacio.