Inter Milan booked a spot in the Champions League semi-finals after holding on to their aggregate lead against Benfica in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Having won the first leg 2-0 in Portugal, Inter added to their lead when Nicolo Barella struck early at San Siro to put them up by three goals.
Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica a glimmer of hope with a headed goal shortly before half-time, but Inter’s Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa piled on the goals in the second half to secure the win.
Although Benfica managed to score two late goals through Antonio Silva and Petar Musa, it was not enough to overcome Inter’s commanding advantage.
In the semi-finals, Inter will face their city rivals AC Milan in European competition for the first time since the 2004/05 season, while the other semi-final will be contested between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
This also guarantees a first Italian finalist in the Champions League since Juventus lost to Real Madrid in 2017, and it is the first time that either of the Milan clubs will have reached the final since Inter’s triumph in 2010.