كتب : Amro Hassan
After coming on to score his team's equalizer against Anorthosis Famagusta in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, the Argentine striker gave Inter maximum points with a 92nd minute goal.
The Nerazzuri started the game without Christian Chivu, Luis Jiminez, Nelson Rivas, Sulley Muntari and Luis Figo who were all injured. Italy striker Antonio Di Natali was Udinese's only absentee.
Jose Mourinho's men looked far from impressive against second-placed Udinese, and the visitors continuously threatened through systemized counter attacks.
The most notable came when Antonio Floro Flores was perfectly released by Fabio Quagliarella only to be stopped by the linesman's doubtful flag.
The second half witnessed more excitement at both ends, and Floro Flores once again was the centre of attention when he stormed his way through the Inter defense before Julio Cesar saved the resulting shot.
Cesar came to Inter's rescue again when he stretched to turn Gaetano D'Agostino's vicious strike around the post.
Ivan Cordoba was lucky not to be sent off for Inter after a reckless two-footed challenge on Gokhan Inler.
Inter finally started showing a will to register a home win when Javier Zanetti unleashed a low effort past Samir Handanovic before the post denied the Argentine skipper.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Cruz finally gave the Inter faithful something to cheer about, after heading Douglas Maicon's corner into Udinese's net.
It is worth mentioning that Cruz was frozen out by Mourinho earlier in the season, after the Portuguese claimed that the player ignored his tactical instructions.
Inter enforce their position as top of the table with 24 points, one ahead of Napoli who beat Sampdoria 2-0. The defeat demotes Udinese to fifth place with 21 points.
Watch Inter's goal against Udinese