Bayer Leverkusen's Nordi Mukiele scored a late goal to give his team a 1-0 home win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, putting them closer to qualification.

The Germans, who had more than 60% of possession, were the better side for most of the game. They hit the post early on with Nathan Tella and had shots on target from Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah.

But they had to wait until the last minute for Mukiele to score after a scramble in the box. It was the first goal Inter had conceded in the competition after five clean sheets.

The Italians' first Champions League defeat this season means they're now in fourth place with 13 points, behind Leverkusen who are second with 13 points, with two matches remaining.

The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16, while the next 16 go into a playoff to determine the other eight teams that go through.

"I am delighted with the performance against a top, top team," said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. "We showed good maturity. We did not expect to have 20 chances but a few good ones and to use one of them.

Inter didn't have a single effort on target during the game.

Alonso's side were the stronger team from the outset and came close to scoring after three minutes when Tella's powerful volley hit the crossbar.

Wirtz, who's been in great form recently, saw his powerful shot saved by Sommer in the 35th minute. The Italians were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

Leverkusen kept up the pressure with most of the possession, and Jeremie Frimpong just missed the target after being sent through by Wirtz.

Simone Inzaghi's substitutions after the hour looked to inject life into Inter but they could not threaten up front, with the match heading towards a draw until 27-year-old Mukiele pounced on a loose ball in the box to drill in the winner.

"We weren't good enough in attack," said Inzaghi. "We didn't show enough to beat a team with their qualities today.

"Our goal remains direct qualification via a place in the top eight and that is still very possible. Leverkusen played well today, with a lot of pace. The fact that the goal was scored so close to the end is, of course, bitter," he added.