UEFA Champions League: Inter secure spot in semis after 4-2 aggregate win

Inter battled through to the Champions League semifinals with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich after an enthralling 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarterfinal.

After a goalless opening half, Harry Kane put Bayern ahead in the game and level on aggregate seven minutes after the break on Wednesday, but six minutes later, Lautaro Martinez equalized for Inter.

Benjamin Pavard headed in from a corner against his former side, seemingly putting Inter in control, but Bayern ensured a nervy finale for the home fans when Eric Dier scored with 14 minutes remaining.

Simone Inzaghi’s hosts held on under severe late pressure and advanced to face Barcelona in the semifinal, with the Serie A leaders still on course to complete the treble.

Chances were aplenty throughout an entertaining first half, with Federico Dimarco and Marcus Thuram going close for the rampant home side.

Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich still tested Yann Sommer at the other end, though, as the pair went into the interval level, with Inter narrowly leading.

Kane then edged Bayern ahead and, crucially, leveled the two-legged affair with a low strike through Sommer’s legs after Leon Goretzka’s cross when the visitors’ corner was only half-cleared by Francesco Acerbi.

Visiting joy was short-lived; however, Kimmich failed to deal with Dimarco’s corner, allowing Martinez to lash home from close range on the second attempt.

Inter dealt a double blow soon after when former Bayern full-back Pavard climbed the highest to head home Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner delivery.

There was still time for a nervy finish, though, as Serge Gnabry’s looping cross sailed all the way to the far post for Eric Dier to head past a stranded Sommer.

Thomas Muller looked set to cap a milestone appearance with a late winner, only for Sommer’s fine save to stave off the late pressure and send the Scudetto-chasing hosts into the last four.

Data Debrief: Muller’s landmark overshadowed by Bayern exit

Since the start of last season, Kane has been directly involved in more goals (101) and scored more (79) than any other player from Europe’s big five leagues across all competitions.

He has also now scored against 21 different opponents in the Champions League, moving ahead of Paul Scholes (20) among English players to have found the net against the most different clubs in the competition.

However, for once, Kane’s efforts went unrewarded as Inter made it 15 games unbeaten at home in Europe’s top competition, the longest ongoing run of any side.

The difference proved to be Pavard, who scored his first Champions League goal since netting for Bayern, coincidentally, against his current club Inter in November 2022.

Inzaghi will feel this progression was deserved, following a draw and a fair result after Inter after a hard-fought clash.