Champions League: Romelu Lukaku shoots Inter to win over FC Porto

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Romelu Lukaku scored late

Photo:

MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Inter Milan defeated FC Porto 1-0 (0-0) in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored the goal shortly before the end (86th minute).

At the time, Porto were outnumbered after a yellow-red card for Otávio (78').

Inter Milan tried to solve many situations in a playful way from the start.

But that didn't always work out, not only because of the very bumpy lawn in Milan's San Siro.

The home side then had the best chance after a simple cross from Federico Dimarco from the half field to Lautaro Martínez.

The Argentine world champion got his head on the ball, but attempted to go over the goal (12').

Porto has the better chances

Inter also had more of the game afterwards, especially Hakan Çalhanoğlu made strong moves again and again.

But then Porto was more dangerous and dared to go forward in the 27th minute.

The long-range shot by ex-Hertha player Marko Grujić went over it.

The Portuguese were now more active and had the best chance so far: Mehdi Taremi put the heel on Grujić.

However, the Serb failed to get through to keeper André Onana, and Galeno's subsequent header went wide of the goal (37').

The game got heated up after that.

After an alleged foul on Matteo Darmian, Inter called for a penalty and played the ball wide.

Porto then played on instead of passing the ball back to the Italians (37').

The Milanese were angry, and there was a brief pack formation.

When things calmed down a bit, Inter almost managed to take the lead.

Dimarco fired a free-kick sharply at the first post, where Alessandro Bastoni headed Porto keeper Diogo Costa to a brilliant save (45' + 2').

Inter also had the ball more often in the second half, but Porto always switched quickly.

And had three chances in a row to take the lead.

First, Inter defender Milan Škriniar blocked Zaidu's shot, who then got the ball again, but was denied by Onana.

The rebound landed at Taremi, who was again unable to overcome the strong Onana (57th).

In the end, both teams shied away from the very last risk for a long time.

But then Otávio had to go down after a foul on Çalhanoğlu (78') and Inter got stronger.

Substitute Lukaku first failed with a header, but then hit the margin to win.

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