Inter rout Sporting to join Bayern in knockout stage

Argentinean striker Hernan Crespo scored in the first-half as Inter joined Bayern Munich, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Spartak Moscow, in progressing from Group B.

Bayern are in charge of the group with 11 points, two ahead of Inter while Sporting, who are third on five points, will be battling against Spartak in the last match to claim a UEFA Cup spot.

Spartak lie fourth with two points but can qualify should they beat Portuguese giants Sporting.

At the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Crespo put the hosts in front in the 36th minute after he latched on to Dejan Stankovic's long pass to send a brilliant first-timer into the back of the net.

Sporting pushed forward searching for the equalizer but their efforts were ineffective in the final third of the pitch.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bavarian giants Bayern settled for a 2-2 away draw with Spartak.

Maxim Kalinichenko put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute but a brace from Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro in the 22nd and 39th minutes turned the game in Bayern's favor.

Radoslav Kovac scored in the 72nd minute to claim a draw for the Russian side.