By Canadian Press

Inter beats city rival Milan 1-0 to reach 1st Champions League final in more than a decade

May 16, 2023 | 3:11 PM

MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan reached its first Champions League final in more than a decade with a 1-0 victory against city rival AC Milan on Tuesday.

Inter had a 2-0 lead from the first leg of the semifinal and Lautaro Martinez’s 74th-minute goal ended any hopes for Milan to stage a comeback. The Nerazzurri won the so-called “Euroderby” 3-0 on aggregate to progress to its first final since it won the league, Italian Cup and Champions League under José Mourinho in 2010.

And it was the same formidable attacking partnership that led Inter to the Serie A title two years ago that proved decisive again, as Romelu Lukaku set up Martínez for the only goal.

Inter will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on June 10. The second leg of the other semifinal is on Wednesday, with the scoreline locked at 1-1.

Milan was also looking to end a lengthy wait for the final. It last reached the showpiece event in 2007, when it won the last of its seven titles.

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The Rossoneri were able to welcome back Rafael Leão. He missed last week’s loss with a thigh injury and Milan was hoping his comeback would inspire the team to do the same.

The difference was immediately apparent as Milan played with an intensity it sorely lacked in the first leg amid a frantic start from both teams.

Brahim Díaz saw a weak shot comfortably smothered by Inter goalkeeper André Onana early on before Leão almost got Milan back into it with his first real sight of goal, shortly before halftime. The winger sprinted into the left of the area but his angled drive grazed the outside of the far post.

Inter sealed its place in the final when Martínez made his way into left side of the area and exchanged passes with Lukaku — who had come on for Edin Džeko less than 10 minutes earlier — before firing in at the near post.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Daniella Matar, The Associated Press