Inter Milan took a significant step toward securing a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 away win over Feyenoord on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.
Although Feyenoord looked more dangerous in the first half, Inter struck first against the run of play when Thuram scored an acrobatic volley in the 38th minute. Martinez then doubled their lead with a stunning shot into the top corner early in the second half.
The return leg will take place in Milan on Tuesday, and the winners will face Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the semifinals.
Inter controlled possession early, but the hosts countered effectively, with Ibrahim Osman forcing Inter keeper Josep Martinez into an early save. Despite some lack of precision, Inter broke the deadlock when Thuram finished a well-worked team move with a close-range shot from a Nicolo Barella cross.
The goal gave Inter momentum, and they extended their lead five minutes after halftime when Martinez scored his sixth goal of the season in the competition, becoming Inter’s all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 18 goals.
Feyenoord came close to pulling one back when Jakub Moder hit the bar, but Inter could have made it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Thuram. However, Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther saved Piotr Zielinski’s low shot.
This result significantly hurt Feyenoord’s hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since the 1971-72 season, with new coach Robin van Persie making his Champions League managerial debut. Inter, who last won the European competition in 2010, advanced directly to the knockout stages after finishing fourth in the league phase.
