Inter’s second-half double at Benfica puts them on course for semis

Lisbon, April 12 (BNA): Inter Milan scored in the second half through Niccolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku, beating Benfica 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, putting them on their way to their first match. Their last-four appearance since winning the title in 2010.

Barella headed hard at the back post in the 51st minute, rising unchallenged to collect a fine cross finish from centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who cut down the left side and volleyed home from a set point.

Substitute Lukaku then awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute after the VAR awarded a handball by Benfica captain Joao Mario for review by English referee Michael Oliver, who converted the penalty kick after watching the video screen.

The two goals give Inter a great advantage in the return match in the San Siro next Wednesday, when they will be very fond of advancing to the semi-finals of Italy against neighbors AC Milan or Napoli, who will meet on Wednesday.

But Inter deserved to win, conjuring up better chances with Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodemus, who saved him in the second half to deny Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Dumfries and avoid a bigger defeat.

Barella’s goal exposed Benfica’s nervous defence, but the penalty kick was unfortunate as a cross from Denzel Dumfries hit Joao Mario on the head and then his upright arm inside the penalty area.

WWA