| Inter struggled to break down Fenerbahce, but two goals in 10 minutes from Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured qualification in a 3-0 win.
The Nerazzurri knew they'd be through to the knockouts with a victory, but had lost 1-0 in Turkey in Matchday 1 and Fenerbahce were unbeaten in Europe in a year. Cristian Chivu was moved up to a midfield role with Patrick Vieira and Luis Figo injured, mainly to keep an eye on the dangerous Alex, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic was able to start despite a bout of flu. Nicolas Burdisso sat out his ban, but Roberto Carlos returned to face his former club.
Gokan caused problems early on, while Ibra's angled drive was charged down by defenders. Curiously there seemed to be more Turkish fans at San Siro than locals, as every time the home side pushed forward the jeers were deafening.
Dejan Stankovic returned from injury, but turned a free header over from six yards from Javier Zanetti's cross. Julio Cesar flew for a one-handed save on Semih Senturk, although play was incorrectly stopped for offside.
Maxwell had to rush back and close down a counter after Inter got confused on their own set play, but Walter Samuel was even more decisive in intercepting a cross with two totally unmarked Fenerbahce players on the six-yard line.
Chivu had penalty appeals waved away as he went shoulder to shoulder in a bid to complete the duet with Julio Cruz, then Senturk nodded a long free kick on to Ivan Cordoba's arm, but it was from point-blank range and tight to his torso.
Cruz was stopped for an incorrect offside decision and there was a curious moment on the half-hour when goalkeeper Volkan Demirel had to change his gloves.
Ibrahimovic finally made an impact after 34 minutes, his angled drive from the right forcing Volkan to get down quickly and muddy a brand new outstretched glove.
Stankovic horribly wasted their best chance of the game so far moments later, as Esteban Cambiasso held up the ball for the unmarked Serb who snatched at the shot to turn it well wide of the far post.
Inter had a good chance after the restart, but Ibrahimovic held the ball too long and by the time he rolled it across to Cruz the Argentine's curler was over the bar. Stankovic was furious, as he felt he was in a better position to shoot.
Moments later Alex gave the Nerazzurri a scare, as he cut back to lose Cordoba and drilled inches past the upright from the edge of the box.
However, it was Inter who finally broke through in the very next move. Cambiasso cut through for Maxwell and an attempted Edu sliding clearance ricocheted into the net off Cruz's chest. It was his 11th Champions League goal in an Inter jersey.
Fenerbahce introduced former Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah, who is recovering from injury and so not on from the start.
Ibrahimovic doubled their lead with his fifth goal in five Champions League games. A cross from the left looped over the distracted defence and the Swede was able to take his time to fire into the top corner from seven yards. Fenerbahce were playing with 10 men at the time, as striker Semih Senturk was stretchered off with a knock to the head just beforehand.
It should have been 3-0 when Cordoba sprinted past his man down the right, but a series of passes found neither Stankovic nor Cruz ready to tap in.
Luis Jimenez replaced Maxwell, moving Chivu into his more habitual left-back role. Ibrahimovic was booked for trying to get the Fenerbahce players carded as he halted his run-up for a free kick, so he will be suspended for the trip to Eindhoven. When he did eventually take the kick, it was a absolute missile that nearly pushed Volkan Demirel back into his own net. Samuel was also booked for time-wasting and will sit out a ban.
David Suazo ran on to a Jimenez through ball and was bravely closed down by Volkan Demirel, then as the move continued had penalty appeals waved away. Marco Materazzi played the final minutes for his European return three months after a career-threatening thigh injury.
But it was substitute Jimenez who made the greatest impact, rounding out the scoreline in stoppages. Fenerbahce were extremely sluggish and lost the ball in midfield, so Inter carved up the defence and Jimenez ran from the back for a quick right-foot finish anticipating the goalkeeper. It was a fine way for Coach Roberto Mancini to celebrate his 43rd birthday.
| 
