Inter edged Benfica in the Champions League quarterfinals second leg, advancing to the semi-finals after a dramatic, draw-fueled 3-3 finish in Milan.
Italy’s Nerazzurri reached the European semi-finals for the first time since their 2009/2010 triumph under Jose Mourinho, marking a significant return to the continent’s final four. The April 19 clash in Milan ended with a high-scoring draw that kept Inter alive on aggregate and set up a storied showdown in the next round.
Nicolò Barella opened the scoring in the 14th minute, firing the ball past Benfica’s defense and sending Inter into an early lead. Benfica responded before halftime with Fredrik Eursnes capitalizing on a precise shot in the 38th minute, leveling the score and injecting tension into the second half.
After the break, Inter pressed forward and added two more goals to their tally. Lautaro Martinez restored the lead in the 66th minute, followed by Joaquin Correa finding the net in the 78th, putting Inter ahead on the night and on the verge of advancing on aggregate.
Benfica rallied late as Antonio Silva reduced the deficit in the 86th minute. Petar Musa then struck a dramatic fifth-minute stoppage-time goal to secure a 3-3 draw on the night, though Inter held the aggregate advantage and moved forward in the competition. [Source: UEFA]
In their quarterfinal first leg, Inter had claimed a 2-0 victory in Lisbon, providing the cushion needed to navigate the return leg in Milan and seal a spot in the last four. The tactical duel highlighted Inter’s balance between a solid defensive structure and piercing counter-attacks that unsettled Benfica and swung momentum in their favor.
The semi-final pairing saw Inter matched against Milan, a classic city derby that had previously produced European drama for both clubs. Milan had overcome Napoli in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 home win followed by a 1-1 draw on aggregate, showcasing the Rossoneri’s resilience and tactical savvy as they sought another shot at the title. The semis were scheduled for mid-May, with legs set for alternating home venues as each team aimed to reach the final and lift European football’s most coveted prize. [Source: UEFA]
As the celebration began for Inter, attention shifted to the overall path in the tournament and the broader context of the season. The draw reinforced the league’s competitiveness and highlighted the tactical evolution of the club under its management, with emphasis on structured pressing, rapid transitions, and decisive finishing. The Champions League semis would feature high-stakes matchups, culminating in a rigorous test of endurance, strategy, and execution as teams chased the trophy that has defined European club football for decades. [Source: UEFA]
Manchester City’s run, meanwhile, positioned them as the third English club to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, adding to the narrative of consistent English presence at the business end of Europe’s premier competition. [Source: UEFA]