Inter Milan 2-1 Feyernood (4-1 agg): Thuram and Calhanoglu fire Nerazzurri past visitors into UCL quarter-finals

Inter Milan secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 2-1 victory over Feyenoord at the San Siro on Tuesday, sealing a 4-1 aggregate triumph. Goals from Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu ensured the Serie A leaders remained on course for a potential treble-winning season.

Inter, three-time Champions League winners, last lifted the trophy in 2010 after beating Bayern Munich in the final. With a Coppa Italia semi-final also on the horizon, Simone Inzaghi’s side will once again meet Bayern in the next round after the Bundesliga giants cruised past Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate.

The match started with Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther called into action early, failing to hold onto a Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot but recovering to gather Carlos Augusto's header from the resulting corner. Feyenoord, needing to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg, showed some intent as 18-year-old debutant Aymen Sliti tested Inter’s Yann Sommer with a long-range effort.

However, their hopes took a major hit in the eighth minute when Thuram produced a brilliant solo goal. The French forward, who also scored in the first leg, picked up the ball on the left wing, cut inside with skillful footwork, and curled a precise shot into the top corner.

Mehdi Taremi nearly extended Inter’s lead with a close-range effort, but Feyenoord responded just before halftime through a penalty. Calhanoglu was penalized for a foul on Jakub Moder, who stepped up to convert from the spot, sending his shot into the bottom corner. It was only the second goal Inter had conceded in the competition this season and the first at the San Siro.

Any hopes of a Feyenoord comeback were extinguished early in the second half when Calhanoglu redeemed himself by scoring from the penalty spot after Thomas Beelen fouled Taremi. Inter continued to threaten on the counter as Feyenoord pushed forward, and the home side believed they had won another penalty, only for VAR to rule against them, resulting in a booking for Thuram for simulation.

Thuram still received a standing ovation when substituted after nearly adding a second goal with a thunderous strike that rattled the underside of the crossbar. With the game firmly under control, Inter comfortably saw out the remaining minutes, booking their place in the last eight as they continue their pursuit of European glory.

SportsLigue