Inter Milan put one foot into the Champions League semifinals with a snug 2-0 win at Benfica on Tuesday, with Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku netting in Lisbon.
The Italians, three-time winners, took a commanding quarterfinal first-leg lead on the Estadio da Luz, inflicting Benfica’s first defeat within the competitors.
After a fair first half, Barella headed house from Alessandro Bastoni’s cross and substitute Romelu Lukaku netted the second from the penalty spot late on.
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, aiming to succeed in the semifinals for the primary time since 1990, was not in a position to put a glove on the guests.
Despite Inter’s poor kind, it conjured a affected person, skilled show when it wanted it most.
Having scored two objectives of their earlier 5 video games throughout all competitions, it managed the identical tally in Lisbon with medical ending.
Neither aspect was in a position to create clear possibilities in a decent opening interval.
The closest Benfica got here was Andre Onana blocking a Rafa Silva drive after Federico Dimarco by chance headed the ball into his path within the field.
Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi hammered over from 30 yards on the different finish.
The Italians had the chance to hit the hosts on the break after half an hour, however Lautaro Martinez performed a poor go, which was blocked, with 37-year-old goal man Edin Dzeko alone in house.
Alex Grimaldo smashed an effort extensive from distance, with Benfica pissed off and unable to get striker Goncalo Ramos concerned.
With Inter urgent excessive up the pitch, the Eagles struggled to Inter Milan broke the impasse early within the second half when Barella headed Bastoni’s looping cross again throughout the purpose and into the underside nook.
Schmidt despatched on David Neres for midfielder Florentino in the hunt for the equaliser, however Inter doubled its lead with eight minutes remaining.
Joao Mario, one in all Benfica’s finest gamers this season, dealt with Denzel Dumfries’s cross, gifting his former aspect a penalty.
Lukaku drilled it past the attain of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, answering some criticism of his latest kind.
Coach Simone Inzaghi had chosen Dzeko forward of Lukaku after the Belgian had missed gilt-edged possibilities in latest weeks, however he didn’t miss in a high-pressure second.
Benfica might need pulled a purpose again deep in stoppage time, however Onana made a high quality save to disclaim Ramos, who appeared poised to attain.
The victory provides Inter a high quality probability of establishing an all-Italian semifinal in opposition to Serie A frontrunner Napoli or metropolis rival AC Milan.
Inter hosts Benfica on April 20 on the San Siro within the second leg.
