Inter prepare for Derby della Madonnina semi-final after Benfica draw

With a two-goal lead from the first leg in Portugal, Inter were always confident of reaching the Champions League semi-final and they did just that with a 3-3 second leg draw (5-3 agg.) in Milan.

It looked like it could be almost plain sailing from the early stages as Nicolo Barella cut back on his inside to curl an effort into the far corner beyond Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

A packed-out Stadio Giuseppe Meazza created an incredible atmosphere but Benfica would not keel over despite their poor start.

Benfica's hope

The Portuguese side continued to fight and eventually found a way through to become the first team to score against Inter in the knock-out stages of the competition this season.

It came as a rapid counter allowed Rafa Silva to cross to Fredrik Aursnes to send a powerful header into the back of the net with Denzel Dumfries unable to rise as high as the Norwegian.

It followed anothed chance from Chiquinho, but those were the visitors' only real chances of the first half as Inter shut them out effectively.

Inter finished the job

With defensive strength, Inter were able to hit Benfica on the counter well and looked a continued threat throughout despite having only 40% possession.

It was such a move which allowed Lautaro Martinez to find space away from Argentina team-mate Nicolas Otamendi to tap in and give Inter the lead again on the night.

Less than 15 minutes later, the hosts put the tie to bed as Federico Dimarco claimed a second assist setting up substitute Joaquin Correa to send his own curler into the bottom corner.

Late fight-back

Benfica pulled another one back with only minutes left on the clock, but Antonio Silva's header seemed to be too little, too late as he converted from a corner.

Roger Schmidt continued to push his team forward in search of the three goals they needed to level the tie, and they did get one deep into injury time as Petar Musa scored an equalizer on the night.

The Croatian made it 3-3 on the night with a smart routine from a corner which was quickly taken short to allow Benfica to go out with pride.

Derby della Madonnina

The 5-3 aggregate win means that Inter will now face Milan in the semi-finals with at least one Italian team guaranteed a spot in the final.

In doing so, it provides a rematch of the 2002/03 Champions League semi-finals, when Milan reached the final in Manchester on away goals.