The Nerazzurri struck in the second half through Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku for a 2-0 win in Benfica vs Inter in their Champions League quarterfinal, first leg on Tuesday.
This puts Inter on course for a first last-four appearance since they won the trophy in 2010.
Benfica vs Inter: Match Summary
The Italians were the better side in the first half, but had nothing to show for it with their Portuguese hosts holding strong at Estadio da Luz. However, Barella opened the scoring after just six minutes of the second 45 and Odysseas Vlachodimos was all that stood between Simone Inzaghi’s men and a second goal.
Barella headed home firmly at the back post in the 51st minute, rising unchallenged to get on the end of a superb cross from centre back Alessandro Bastoni, who was storming up the left side and delivered a pin-point ball.
Substitute Lukaku then converted an 82nd minute penalty after VAR referred a handball by Benfica skipper Joao Mario for review by English referee Michael Oliver, who gave the spot kick after looking at the video monitor on the side of the pitch.
Inter continued to create chances, before Romelu Lukaku tucked home a late penalty after VAR adjudged Joao Mario to have handled a cross .
Andre Onana pulled off a fine last-gasp save from Goncalo Ramos to give them a 2-0 lead ahead of the second leg at the San Siro next week.
The two goals hand Inter a major advantage for the return leg at San Siro next Wednesday, where they will be heavily fancied to progress to an all-Italian semi-final against either neighbours AC Milan or Napoli.
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