Inter Milan vs AC Milan LIVE: Result and reaction as Martinez goal sends Inter into Champions League final
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg): Inter triumphed in the Milan derby to reach the European showpiece
Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Inter Milan reached the Champions League final in competent fashion with a controlled and clinical display against city rivals AC Milan.
Carrying a two-goal advantage into the second leg the Nerazzurri didn’t need to overly exert themselves in attack and instead focused on winning the midfield battle to cut out the supply lines to Milan’s returning star Rafael Leao. The first half was a tight affair with both goalkeeper called into action, Andre Onana smothered Brahim Diaz’s early shot and Mike Maignan denied Edin Dzeko.
The half-time break came and went but Milan didn’t look like breaking through Inter’s solid backline. The introduction of Romelu Lukaku then ended Milan’s hopes of a comeback. A selfless centre-forward display ensured he set up Lautaro Martinez for the only goal of the game and as Inter extended their aggregate lead to three the Champions League final dream became reality.
Relive all the action as Inter and Milan clashed in the Champions League semi-final:
FT Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
The scenes inside the San Siro at full-time:
Full-time: Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
90+3 mins: The whistle goes for full-time and Inter Milan are into the Champions League final! It’s the first time they’ve reached the European showpiece since they won the tournament in 2010.
Can they lift the trophy once again?
The damage was done in the first leg but Lautaro Martinez chipped in with a second half goal tonight to ensure that his side made it through.
In truth Inter have been the better side over both legs and fully deserve to get through.
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
86 mins: Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella are taken off by Simone Inzaghi with Roberto Gagliardini and Joaquin Correa introduced for the final few minutes.
The Inter Milan manager is thinking about the final now and doesn’t want to risk his two starters who are both on yellow cards.
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
83 mins: Romelu Lukaku is played into space on the right wing. He thinks about taking the ball into the corner but dances into the box and looks to pick out Lautaro Martinez instead.
As the pass comes across Pierre Kalulu sticks out a leg, intercepts the ball and boots it away.
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
80 mins: 10 minutes to play at the San Siro. Milan are throwing themselves into tackles now and are trying to upset their opponents.
Rade Krunic leaps into a 50/50 challenge on Hakan Calhanoglu and earns himself a yellow card.
Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg)
77 mins: Junior Messias and Brahim Diaz are hooked off for AC Milan with Alexis Saelemaekers and Divock Origi brought on. Time is running out for them now and they must score three goals to get back in the game.
It’s a monumental task.
GOAL! Inter 1-0 Milan (3-0 agg) - Martinez, 74'⚽️
74 mins: There it is! Inter Milan are heading into the Champions League final. They work the ball into the left side of the box with Lautaro Martinez in control of the ball.
He has to offload it to Romelu Lukaku who holds it up and draws away the defence. A quick pass back to Martinez gives him time to shoot and he beat Mike Maignan at the near post!
Inter 0-0 Milan (2-0 agg)
71 mins: Inter are starting to defend deeper and deeper. They’re trying to make nullify Milan’s threat and keep them quiet for the final 20 minutes or so.
The plan is working so far.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies