The 29-year-old's 86th-minute winner has give Inter a good chance to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade.
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Inter Milan beat Porto 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA champions League last-16 tie at San Siro on Wednesday night. It was an end-to-end affair in Milan as both goalkeepers had to be on their toes. Inter managed to break the deadlock through Lukaku’s 86th-minute effort. It was the 29-year-old’s second goal in as many games in all competitions. Meanwhile, the visitors played the last 12 minutes with 10 men as Otavio was sent off for his second yellow card. Simone Inzaghi’s side will travel to Portugal next month to decide whether the Serie A outfit can reach the quarter-finals of Europe’s top competition for the first time in over a decade.
Inter secure the win at San Siro 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/ktY9UScyZf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 22, 2023
Inter started the match brightly and could have taken the lead in the 13th minute when Federico Dimarco found Lautaro Martinez with a deep cross, but the Argentine striker’s header went over the bar. Five minutes later, Hakan Calhanoglu tested the visiting goalkeeper Diego Costa with a powerful long-range effort after playing a one-two from his own corner. Meanwhile, it took 37-minutes for the Portuguese club to record their first real attempt on goal, when Otavio’s precise through ball found the run of Mehdi Taremi inside the box, and the Iranian striker laid the ball back for Marko Grujic, whose first-time strike was well kept out by Andre Onana. Costa then made sure that the teams would go into the break 0-0 with yet another stunning reaction save to deny Alessandro’s Bastoni’s header from Dimarco’s free-kick.
Ten minutes into the second half, Porto caught the Inter defence on the break but Taremi’s weak effort was kept out by Onana’s outstretched left hand. . Three minutes later, Onana made a stunning double-save to deny Zaidu Sanusi and Taremi from inside the box. Meanwhile, 18 minutes from time, Otavio received his second yellow card for a foul on Calhanoglu. Four minutes from time, Lukau headed Nicolo Barella’s cross against the woodwork before slotting home on the rebound. It was a much needed goal for the Belgian international, who has struggled all season with injuries.
🎶 My dream is to fly ✈️
Over the rainbow, so high! 🎶#ForzaInter #InterPorto #UCL pic.twitter.com/QKQsyT6o9Z— Inter (@Inter) February 22, 2023
Romelu Lukaku: “Wow, look at me up top… I’m in great shape, mamma mia!”
Belgian striker said that joking & smiling with @MatteoBarzaghi before the post-match interview on @SkySport 🔵🇧🇪 #UCL pic.twitter.com/hZDof1ETWA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 22, 2023
Right place, right time for Romelu Lukaku 🎯 pic.twitter.com/FLJaFl7pRr
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 23, 2023
Romelu Lukaku’s game by numbers vs. Porto:
37 minutes played
16 touches
2 key passes
2 shots on target
1 shot off the woodwork
1 goalMatch winner. 💥 pic.twitter.com/CvCfxHtkN4
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 22, 2023
Inter CEO Marotta: “Why Lukaku on the bench? Romelu has 103 kg to carry on his shoulders, he must be physically fit. It’s not yet 100% fit, he’s getting back to the best form”. 🚨🔵 #UCL
“We expect Romelu to do great things in the second part of the season”. pic.twitter.com/DYWrzLf0Ta
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 22, 2023
