After carrying a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg in Germany, Inter were put to the test by a Bayern side desperate to reclaim European dominance. The second half exploded into life after a goalless opening 45 minutes, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable night in Milan.
It was Harry Kane who struck first for the visitors, levelling the tie on aggregate just seven minutes after the break with a clinical finish that slipped under Yann Sommer to make it 2-2 overall. The momentum seemed to shift Bayern’s way — but only briefly.
Inter responded like champions. Within six minutes, Lautaro Martínez latched onto a loose ball from a corner to lash home from close range, restoring the Nerazzurri’s aggregate lead. Three minutes later, it was Benjamin Pavard — scoring against his former club — who rose highest to power in a header from a Hakan Çalhanoğlu corner, giving Inter a two-goal cushion at 4-2 on aggregate.
Bayern, however, refused to go quietly. Eric Dier’s looping header in the 76th minute brought the tie back to 4-3, setting up a frantic final quarter of an hour. Thomas Tuchel’s men piled on the pressure, forcing Sommer into a string of key saves and throwing bodies into the box in search of a dramatic winner.
But Inter held firm, aided by the composure of their midfield trio Barella, Çalhanoğlu, and Mkhitaryan, along with the defensive grit of Bastoni and Acerbi. Despite Bayern edging possession and matching Inter on expected goals (1.35 vs 1.32), it was Simone Inzaghi’s side who showed greater cutting edge in the key moments.
The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation as Inter booked their spot in the semi-finals, where a heavyweight clash with Barcelona awaits. After falling short in the 2023 final, the Nerazzurri are on a mission to go one better this season — and on the evidence of this battle, they might just have the grit and quality to do it.
Final Score:
Inter Milan 2–2 Bayern Munich
(Inter win 4–3 on aggregate)
Goals:
Kane (52′)
Martínez (58′)
Pavard (61′)
Dier (76′)
