Leeds make their point

Matteo celebrates his goal with Smith and Dacourt

AC Milan 1-1 Leeds United

Dominic Matteo's goal proved sufficient for Leeds to get the draw they needed against AC Milan and secure their qualification into the Champions League second phase.

Matteo headed Leeds into the lead on the stroke of half-time, and although Serginho capped a magnificent Milan response with a 68th-minute equaliser, Leeds held on to take second place in Group H and a place in the last 16 of the competition.

A point was sufficient to see Milan take first place in the group but their fellow European aristocrats Barcelona have to settle for third place and a Uefa Cup berth despite their 5-0 demolition of Besiktas.

And suggestions that Milan might be lacking motivation having already securing their qualification proved wide off the market as the home team started brightly.

Alan Smith duels with Jose Antonio Chamot

Two scintillating runs from Brazilian winger Serginho in the first 10 minutes set the tone.

The first real opening came after 20 minutes when Andrii Shevchenko was given space in the box, but his shot was deflected by Lucas Radebe and looped over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, the Ukrainian smartly diverted Ian Harte's defensive header inches wide of the target.

The final of a trinity of quick chances for the former Dynamo Kiev player came after 26 minutes. Gary Kelly was harshly adjudged to have intentionally handled Serginho's shot, but Shevchenko's ensuing low spot-kick cannoned back off the post.

The vivacious Serginho was also a constant menace and he popped up on the right flank after 42 minutes to fire in a venomous shot that Paul Robinson managed to parry.

And after surviving those scares, Leeds stole the lead themselves. Lee Bowyer's corner from the right was met perfectly by Dominic Matteo, who sent his near-post header into the bottom corner to give David O'Leary's side the lead on the stroke of half time.

Milan's response was immediate: Serginho and Shevchenko both came close with shots within minutes of the restart.

With the introduction of Zvonimir Boban designed to give more guile to the Milanese midfield, the rossoneri came close again after 56 minutes, but Robinson easily gathered Oliver Bierhoff's overhead kick.

Pressure pays off

Serginho's sorcery on the right wing was giving Kelly a torrid time. His teasing delivery from the left led to Radebe slicing his clearance across the face of goal and wide just short of the hour mark, while Robinson tipped over a trademark Bierhoff header from Boban's cross after 64 minutes as Milan upped the pressure.

That pressure finally paid off four minutes later when Serginho got the goal his display merited with a stunning solo strike. He outsprinted Kelly in the penalty area and unleashed an unstoppable drive across Robinson and into the far corner of the net.

The Milan tempest reduced in intensity after that strike and Leeds held onto their precious point with relative comfort.

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AC Milan: Dida, Junior, Chamot, Maldini, Helveg, Gattuso, Albertini, Serginho, Leonardo, Shevchenko, Bierhoff.
Subs: Abbiati, Boban, Jose Mari, Ambrosini, Guly, Sala, Coco.

Leeds United: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe, Mills, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Dacourt, Matteo, Smith, Viduka.
Subs: Milosevic, Jones, Hay, Burns, Maybury, Evans.

Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)