EINDHOVEN (inter it) - Inter beat ten-man PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadium to collect their fifth consecutive win in the Champions League and finish Group G with 15 points from 6 games.

The Nerazzurri, already through to the UCL knockout stages after their 3-0 win over Fenerbahçe in Matchday 5, started with a 4-3-3 formation, with midfielders Bolzoni, Chivu and Solari behind an attacking trio of Crespo, Suazo and Cruz.

PSV needed to win and hope Fenerbahçe would be held by CSKA in Turkey, and the Dutch champions made their intentions clear from the outset, Culina firing narrowly wide from distance in the opening minute.

Inter could have taken a 7th-minute lead but Solari, put through by Suazo, shot straight at Mendes.

Culina had a second chance on 21 minutes but Julio Cesar was equal to the Australian's volleyed effort.

Jan Wouter's side suffered a setback just before the half hour when Mendez was shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Suazo.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, PSV battled to gain the upper hand and almost edged ahead in the 38th, Lazovic's swift strike finishing inches wide.

Inter imposed their game against ten-man PSV after the interval and should have taken the lead on 60 minutes but Cruz blazed over after brilliant approach play by Suazo.

El Jardinero made amends four minutes later with his tenth goal of the season, nudging in from close range to finish off a swift and skilful counter-attacking move by Suazo.

Inter Primavera midfielder Gabriele Puccio replaced Cruz in the 75th minute, becoming the 19th academy player to make his first-team debut under Roberto Mancini.

Solari struck the upright in the closing stages after Puccio's left-wing cross was half cleared by the Dutch defence.

PSV Eindhoven 0-1 Inter (HT: 0-0)

Scorer: Cruz 64.

PSV Eindhoven: 1 Gomes; 24 Marcellis, 3 Salcido, 13 Alcides, 8 Mendez; 6 Simons, 20 Afellay, 15 Culina, 5 Zonneveld; 17 Farfan (11 Perez 62), 9 Lazovic (19 Jonathan 84).
Subs not used: 21 Roorda, 14 Rajkovic, 16 Aissati, 23 Fagner, 26 van der Leegte, 28 Bakkal.
Coach: Jan Wouters.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 2 Cordoba, 24 Rivas, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell (4 Zanetti 86); 21 Solari, 36 Bolzoni, 26 Chivu (19 Cambiasso 68); 18 Crespo, 9 Cruz (37 Puccio 75), 29 Suazo.
Subs not used: 22 Orlandoni, 13 Maicon, 35 Esposito, 38 Federici.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).

Sent off: Mendez 28.