Inter Milan narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League last 16 despite securing a 2-0 victory away to Borussia Dortmund, with both sides ultimately consigned to the play-off round.

Knowing that only a win, combined with favourable results elsewhere, would keep their hopes of a top-eight finish alive, both teams approached the opening half cautiously. As a result, clear-cut chances were limited, though opportunities did arrive at either end.

Dortmund started the brighter of the two and almost took an early lead when Julian Ryerson picked out Serhou Guirassy inside the six-yard box. However, the striker failed to capitalise, scuffing his effort straight at Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Inter responded with a handful of promising moments. Federico Dimarco fired a powerful volley that narrowly missed troubling Gregor Kobel, while Yann Bisseck also came close with a hooked effort that sailed just over the bar. Ange-Yoan Bonny later headed wide at the back post, summing up a first half that lacked attacking precision.

The tempo remained subdued after the interval, but news of favourable scorelines elsewhere gradually injected urgency into the contest. Inter began to apply greater pressure and went close twice through Francesco Pio Esposito, the second chance denied by an excellent sliding block from Ramy Bensebaini.

Dortmund continued to pose occasional threats, yet it was Inter who finally broke the deadlock late on. Henrikh Mkhitaryan earned a free-kick on the edge of the area, and Dimarco produced a superb curling effort over the wall and beyond Kobel.

The hosts struggled to mount a meaningful response, and Inter sealed the win in stoppage time. Andy Diouf created space inside the box before slotting home a deflected shot to make it 2-0.

Despite doing their part, Inter were ultimately denied a top-eight finish as late victories for Chelsea and Sporting pushed them down to 10th place on goal difference. As a result, Simone Inzaghi’s side will now have to navigate the play-off round.

Dortmund will join them in the next stage, progressing despite dropping out of the seeded positions after failing to win any of their final three league-phase matches.