Inter Milan beat Liverpool at 1-0 Anfield but failed to qualify for the Quarte-finals of the Champions League because of aggregate score.
Milan had a mountain to climb to continue their journey further after their 2-0 loss at home three weeks ago against a Liverpool team who are almost impossible to beat at home. Inter, however, entered the contest full of confidence on the back of an emphatic win in Serie A.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter had been competitive in the first leg, conceding from Liverpool’s only two shots on target, and they produced another spirited performance. But it was Liverpool who came closest to scoring with Joel Matip heading the ball against the crossbar and Mohamed Salah striking the foot of the post.
Lautaro Martinez got the only goal of the game in the 61st minute. His effort from 20 yards out gave Alisson no chance of preventing the ball from arrowing into the net.
But Inter’s hopes of forcing extra time with a second goal faded when former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez was sent off for a second yellow card just two minutes later.
There were no further scares for Liverpool in the final quarter of the game as they began to dominate a tiring Inter team with Salah hitting the post for a second time meaning Inter beat Liverpool for the first time in the Champions League.
The result ends an unbeaten run that extends back to last year for Jurgen Klopp’s side but they will not be too concerned as their hard work in the San Siro proved decisive.
The Champions League quarter-final draw will take place on Friday, March 18th with the balls being drawn out at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The semi-finals will be drawn at the same time, meaning clubs and fans can plot out their potential route to the Paris final.
