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Nagatomo salvages point for Inter

InterYuto Nagatomo's stoppage-time goal salvaged a point for Inter Milan in their Europa League Group H opener at home against Rubin Kazan.

The Russian side went ahead in the 17th minute when Alexander Ryazantsev tucked in the rebound after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic kept out Bebras Natcho's penalty, before the Italian giants pulled level thanks to Marko Livaja's 39th-minute header.

Jose Salomon Rondon then struck what appeared to be a shock winner for Rubin with six minutes to go, only for Nagatomo to equalise in the dying moments.

Inter fired an early warning with Antonio Cassano curling a free-kick into Sergei Ryzhikov's arms in the second minute, but Handanovic was swiftly called upon to catch Rondon's header and Natcho then struck wide.

Two minutes later Rubin had the lead, Handanovic parrying Natcho's spot-kick after Jonathan had brought down Gokdeniz Karadeniz and the ball coming to Ryazantsev for a tap-in.

Ryazantsev and team-mate Roman Eremenko had subsequent shots go off-target, but the Italian team began to threaten again and after Jonathan had an attempt blocked and Livaja headed over, the latter made it 1-1, nodding in Esteban Cambiasso's cross.

Jonathan then fired at Ryzhikov, although it was Rubin who went closest just prior to the interval as Ryazantsev's shot hit the post.

Inter came out after the break showing some intent, with Walter Gargano, Livaja and Javier Zanetti all sending strikes over the bar, but Ryazantsev then hit one wide before Handanovic denied Salvatore Bocchetti.

Rubin kept up the pressure as Natcho, Karadeniz and Eremenko all tried their luck to no avail.

With around 20 minutes to go Fredy Guarin, on for Jonathan, fired a free-kick wide and it was the same outcome for Inter midfielder Phillippe Coutinho with a shot five minutes later.

Rondon was also unsuccessful with a header, but the Venezuelan showed more accuracy in the 84th minute, converting from Eremenko's pass.

It seemed Inter were headed for defeat, but Nagatomo came to their rescue at the death, volleying in substitute Diego Milito's cross.