Inter Milan clinched a spot in the Champions League semi-finals following a pulsating 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in Italy.
Though Bayern fought hard, Inter’s 2-1 advantage from the first leg proved crucial across both legs of the entertaining contest.
Harry Kane reignited Bayern’s hope with a precise low finish after the break, erasing Inter’s first-leg cushion completely.
Before the break, Bayern dominated territory, but Inter’s compact defence and last-ditch tackles kept them well organised. Yet, a moment of hesitation after halftime allowed Kane to strike clinically after exposing a lapse from Federico Dimarco.
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However, Inter responded swiftly, as Lautaro Martinez struck from close range after capitalising on a deflection that fell into his path. Marcus Thuram had gone close before Martinez struck in his fifth straight Champions League game.
Before Bayern could regroup, Benjamin Pavard soared to meet Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner, nodding in his first Inter goal. The quickfire double restored Inter’s aggregate lead and shifted the momentum back in favour of the Italian champions.
Interestingly, Vincent Komany’s men refused to back down and they pulled level again when Eric Dier’s looping header found the far post. Still, Inter refused to panic and held their defensive shape as the Germans chased a winner in the dying minutes.
Meanwhile, Thomas Muller almost forced extra time with a last-gasp header, but Yann Sommer made a crucial reflex save. Moments later, tension boiled over as Josip Stanisic shoved a ballboy for delaying play, earning a stern post-match backlash.
“Every team in the world wastes time when they’re leading. It was a bit stupid of me to push him there.” Those were Stanisic’s own words after the heated moment overshadowed Bayern’s frantic finish to an intense game.
Despite Bayern’s late surge, Inter advanced to the final four where Barcelona awaits in another blockbuster clash. Inter’s Treble ambitions remain alive as they also lead Serie A and contest the Coppa Italia semi-finals this month.
Tags: Hakan Calhanoglu, Benjamin Pavard, Harry Kane, Lautaro Martinez, Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, ball boy, Thomas Müller, Federico Dimarco, #INTBAY, #UCL, #ChampionsLeague, #ForzaInter, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, #InterBayern.
