Inter Milan Defeats Bayern to Advance in Champions League

Key Takeaways

Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard scored crucial goals for Inter.
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane initially leveled the match.
Inter's defense proved strong, conceding only once at home.
The match featured intense back-and-forth play from both teams.
Inter will face Barcelona in the semifinals.

Milan, April 17 (NationPress) Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard propelled Inter to the Champions League semifinals for the second time in three years, achieving a 5-4 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich.

Both squads were engaged right from the start. Thomas Muller forced the initial save just six minutes in with a skimming shot after a clever turn at the edge of the box following a pass from Michael Olise, while Dimarco failed to convert a flowing move from the hosts, sending his low strike straight at Jonas Urbig.

The 35-year-old Müller remained pivotal as Bayern sought to penetrate a Nerazzurri defense that had only conceded once at home this season in the tournament, with the visitors increasing the pressure after a Hakan Çalhanoğlu shot that narrowly missed the target, according to UEFA.

A volley from Joshua Kimmich and a spectacular effort from Leroy Sané were both saved by Yann Sommer late in the first half, as the Swiss keeper aimed for an eighth clean sheet in the Champions League this season.

Harry Kane had other plans shortly after the second half commenced, leveling the aggregate score with a precise shot into the far corner from the right side of the box, despite the hosts’ defense appearing to cover all angles.

However, the Serie A leaders responded with two goals in a rapid span of four minutes around the hour mark, with captain Lautaro Martínez triggering the comeback with a powerful finish after the visitors failed to clear a corner.

As Simone Inzaghi’s men gained momentum, the 2009-10 champions capitalized on another set piece when former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard perfectly timed his jump to meet Calhanoglu’s outswinging corner from the right and decisively headed the ball into the net.

Bayern surged forward in the final quarter-hour, creating a tense finish with a well-executed dead-ball play, as Eric Dier somehow scored with a looping header from a tight angle after a precise delivery from substitute Serge Gnabry.

Bayern pushed for the goal that could have forced extra time and nearly took advantage of some uncertainty in the home defense as added time approached, but Kane could only send a half-volley over the bar.

Muller and Kingsley Coman both came close to equalizing on aggregate as the clock wound down, but Inter held firm to secure a spot in the semifinals, setting up a rematch of the 2009/10 semifinal against Barcelona and thwarting Munich’s hopes of reaching the final on home turf.