Inter Milan beat local rivals AC Milan 1-0 on Tuesday to reach their first Champions League final for 13 years – and set up a meeting with either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Inter led 2-0 from the first leg of the semi-final 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 their first final since they won the league, Italian Cup and Champions League under Jose 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 on the second leg at the San Siro.
Inter will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on June 10. The second leg of the other semi-final is on Wednesday, with the scoreline locked at 1-1.
Milan were also looking to end a lengthy wait to reach another final. They last made the showpiece event in 2007, when they won the last of their seven titles.
The Rossoneri were able to welcome back Rafael Leao. He missed last week's defeat with a thigh injury and Milan were hoping his comeback would inspire the team to do the same.
The difference was immediately apparent as Milan played with an intensity they sorely lacked in the first leg amid a frantic start from both teams.
Brahim Díaz saw a weak shot comfortably smothered by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana early on before Leao almost got Milan back into it with his first real sight of goal, shortly before half-time. The winger sprinted into the left of the area but his angled drive grazed the outside of the far post.
Inter sealed their place in the final when Martinez made his way into left side of the area and exchanged passes with Lukaku – who had come on for Edin Dzeko less than 10 minutes earlier – before firing in at the near post.
