Inter Milan set up a Milan Derby in the semi-final as they produced one of the high-scoring football results of the midweek action in the Champions League. Inter grabbed the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a fantastic strike from inside the box by Nicolo Barella, but Benfica equalized in the 38th minute with a thunderous header from Fredrik Aursnes. Inter had a two-goal lead after the break when Lautaro Martinez and replacement Joaquin Correa scored within seven minutes, but Benfica responded with two late goals from defender Antonio Silva and substitute Petar Musa. It wasn’t enough to keep Inter from reaching their first semi-final since winning the title for the third time in 2010.
In a rematch of the 2003 semi-final, Inter will meet AC Milan. Milan won on away goals and then defeated Juventus in the final. On Tuesday, Milan advanced to the last four of Europe’s best club championship after drawing 1-1 against Napoli to win their quarter-final 2-1 on aggregate. The Nerazzurri worked hard in the first leg, winning 2-0 in Portugal, and then increasing their dominating lead to three goals when Nicolo Barella scored early at San Siro.
Before halftime, Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica a ray of hope, but Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa piled on the goals for Inter. The tie was long over by that point, and even a late flurry of Benfica goals from Antonio Silva and Petar Musa in the final stages did nothing to dent the lead that Simone Inzaghi’s side had built up over both legs. Inter and Milan will meet in the semi-finals for the first time in European play since the 2004/05 season when flares were notoriously thrown on the San Siro ground.
The pairing of the Serie A titans at this level also ensures the first Italian finalist in the Champions League since Juventus fell to Real Madrid in 2017. It will be the first time either of the Milan clubs has reached the final since Inter’s victory in 2010. Real Madrid and Manchester City will compete in the other semi-final.
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