Inter Milan secured a spot in the Champions League semi-finals and set up a Milan derby showdown after their 3-3 draw against Benfica on Wednesday, giving them a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The match was held at San Siro, the home ground of Inter Milan. The team was able to advance after securing a 2-0 lead in the first leg against Benfica. Inter Milan’s city rivals, AC Milan, had earlier reached the final four after beating Napoli the previous day.
The match started with Inter Milan in control, with Nicolo Barella scoring the first goal in the 14th minute. Barella managed to battle his way into the Benfica box after a one-two with Lautaro Martinez before cutting onto his left foot and firing the ball into the top left corner.
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Martinez had a goal disallowed in the 33rd minute after the Benfica goalkeeper, Odisseas Vlachodimos, was relieved to see a foul given against Martinez for a push on Gilberto.
Benfica managed to equalize just before halftime when Fredrik Aursnes sent a bullet header past Andre Onana after Rafa Silva’s perfect cross from the right. However, Lautaro Martinez put Inter back in front with a finish into the roof of the net in the 65th minute after a one-two on the left with Federico Dimarco.
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Joaquin Correa, who had just come off the bench, scored Inter Milan’s third goal just two minutes later with a fine effort that bent into the far post after cutting inside from the left. However, late goals from Antonio Silva and Petar Musa meant Benfica at least ended their recent losing run.
With the final score of 3-3, Inter Milan secured a spot in the semi-finals against their local rivals, AC Milan. The Milan derby in the Champions League semi-finals will be an exciting match to watch, with both teams looking to make it to the final.
The two sides have not faced each other in the Champions League since 2005, and the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Italy’s most successful clubs.
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