Inter Milan reach Champions League quarter-finals at Feyenoord’s expense

Goals early in each half from Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu secured Inter Milan’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Feyenoord.

The pair struck either side of a Jakob Moder penalty as Inter claimed a 2-1 victory at San Siro on Tuesday to complete a 4-1 aggregate success in their last-16 tie.

Thuram opened the scoring with a fine strike after just eight minutes and Calhanoglu ended all doubt from the penalty spot, six minutes into the second half.

Inter started strongly with Henrikh Mkhitaryan trying his luck from distance and Timon Wellenreuther unconvincingly turning the ball behind. Carlos Augusto headed at Wellenreuther from the resulting corner.

Feyenoord’s Aymen Sliti hit a fierce shot on target at the other end after Inter gifted possession but Yann Sommer saved comfortably.

Thuram, who also scored the opener in Inter’s first-leg victory, tightened the Italian side’s grip on the tie with a superb effort.

The France international charged down the left and arced his run into the box before cutting inside two defenders and bending a shot inside the far post with his right foot.

Wellenreuther palmed the ball over as Mehdi Taremi threatened a second for Inter but Feyenoord’s Hugo Bueno also forced a good save from Sommer with a long-range effort.

The Dutch side grew into the game and were awarded a penalty when Moder was deemed to have been bundled over by Calhanoglu following a long VAR check. Moder fired into the bottom corner to equalise on the night.

Feyenoord’s hopes of fighting back were dashed in the opening minutes of the second half as Inter were also given a spot-kick when Thomas Beelen tripped Taremi – under little pressure – just inside the area. Calhanoglu drove past Wellenreuther.

Referee Ivan Kruzliak pointed to the spot again after 66 minutes when he ruled that Beelen had brought down Thuram after another promising Inter attack, but this time the decision was overturned following a review.

Thuram, who had earlier shot narrowly over, was booked for simulation but, undeterred, he jinked into the area moments later only to blast a shot against the crossbar.

Feyenoord remained positive and Givairo Read had a shot blocked before the tireless Bueno got a sight of goal but failed to trouble Sommer.

Benjamin Pavard missed the target as Inter threatened again late on but the hosts had already done enough.