Inter Milan and Porto played to a goalless draw, with Lukaku’s solitary strike sealing a precious win for the Nerazzurri in the first leg. The result nudged Inter back into the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the 2010/2011 campaign, when they lifted the trophy in the previous edition before that long, breathless wait.
The match unfolded with caution in the opening 45 minutes and intensified in the final stages, as Milan’s defense held firm, neutralizing Porto’s attacking attempts. The strategy chosen by Simone Inzaghi was clear: remain compact, wait for the moment when Porto could be forced into a miscue, and then pounce with precision. The plan paid off as Inter progressed to the quarterfinals, reinforcing their status as a storied European heavyweight returning to the late stages of Europe’s most prestigious tournament after an absence that stretched over more than a decade.
Before the kickoff, Porto faced a selection layoff that looked to tilt the balance. Veteran Pepe, already a visible presence in the squad, was sidelined at the last moment, joining João Mário on the injury list and Otávio in suspension. The home side’s approach in Porto’s stadium mirrored a cautious, calculated vigil, with Simões Inzaghi trusting the defensive shapes and looking for controlled opportunities rather than reckless forward surges.
Sérgio Conceição, a former Inter player who had also stood on the same Lazio pitch as Inzaghi during their days together, opted for pressing in midfield, though his team found it less effective in the opening spell than in the previous tie. Inter’s backline stifled Porto’s ability to link the play through the central channels, prompting the Portuguese coach to urge quicker passes and sharper tempo from his attackers to unlock the defense.
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The visitors had limited chances in the first half, with Inter maintaining disciplined spacing and rarely inviting Porto to test goalkeeper Onana. Diogo Costa had to work when the Nerazzurri nudged forward through quick, incisive breaks, but the Porto custodian remained largely untroubled as Inter’s main goal threat came from wide areas rather than central deliveries.
Inter celebrated progress after a tense 90 minutes that kept the aggregate scoreline intact and sent the Nerazzurri through to the quarterfinals. The post-match ripple across social media reflected the excitement, with Movistar Plus+ highlighting the achievement and fans praising the disciplined performance that earned the win and sealed the tie.
The Porto side finally found a spark as the second half developed, but a decisive moment eluded them. A near-miss on the brink of the interval suggested a potential shift, only for Inter to maintain control. Upon resumption, the Portuguese side intensified in pursuit of a breakthrough, though their efforts were constantly checked by Inter’s structured defense and sharp counter threats.
With time dwindling, Conceição made changes aimed at injecting pace and aggression in attack. The substitutions, including the entrance of Romelu Lukaku and Toni Martínez, were designed to alter the tempo and create a more dynamic frontline. The tactical adjustments brought a noticeable lift to Porto’s offense, yet the scoreboard stubbornly reflected Inter’s resilience.
In stoppage time, Porto pressed higher and risked exposure at the back, only to find Inter’s defense alert and composed. A late intervention by Dumfries cleared a dangerous ball from the line, while a subsequent effort from Mehdi Taremi struck the woodwork, leaving Porto to rue what might have been. In the waning moments, Pepê picked up a second yellow card, leaving the visitors to finish with ten men and bringing Inter’s breakthrough to a conclusion as the tie concluded.
Data sheet
0 – Porto: Diego Costa; Pepê, Fábio Cardoso, Marcano, Zaidu (Wendell, min. 85); Grujic, Uribe (Namaso, min. 85), Eustáquio (André Franco, min. 71), Galeno, Taremi and Evanilson (Toni Martínez, min. 71).
0 – Inter Milan: Onana; Dumfries, Darmian (Skriniar, min. 79), Acerbi, Bastoni (de Vrij, min. 74), Dimarco (D’Ambrosio, min. 70); Barella (Brozovic, min. 80), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan; Lautaro Martínez and Dzeko (Lukaku, min.69).
Judge: Szymon Marciniak (POL). He issued a yellow to Pepê and to Sérgio Conceição, and also cautioned Darmian, Dzeko and Acerbi. Pepê was sent off after a second booking late in the match.
Attendance: 48,015 spectators at Estádio do Dragão in Porto for the Round of 16 rematch of the Champions League.