Inter Milan take charge of Champions League tie against Feyenoord

Inter Milan took full control of their Champions League last-16 tie against Feyenoord with a 2-0 first-leg win at De Kuip in Rotterdam.

Marcus Thuram put Inter ahead shortly before the interval and Lautaro Martinez struck early in the second period to give the Italian champions a healthy advantage before next week’s second leg.

Argentina striker Martinez became Inter’s all-time record scorer in Europe’s premier club competition with 18 goals.

The Nerazzurri, one point clear at the top of Serie A, finished fourth in the revamped group table after losing only one of their six matches, but they were second best for large periods in the first half.

Feyenoord, who reached the last 16 for the first time in 50 years when beating AC Milan 2-1 on aggregate in their knockout play-off tie, made a fast start.

Ibrahim Osman twice forced Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez into saves inside the first 11 minutes before clear-cut chances dried up.

Ghana winger Osman, on-loan from Brighton, was denied again by Martinez, who also kept out Jakub Moder’s effort as Feyenoord made most of the running before the break.

Inter’s first effort on goal came in the 35th minute when Francesco Acerbi’s angled drive was saved by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther before the Italian side took the lead.

Nicolo Barella clipped a superb cross to the far post and Thuram slipped his marker to despatch a volley with the outside of his right boot.

Inter then dealt Feyenoord a hammer blow by doubling their lead five minutes after the restart.

Piotr Zielinski’s shot was blocked, but when the ball broke back to the Poland midfielder, he laid it to Martinez, who smashed his finish into the top corner.

The visitors squandered a golden chance to extend their lead when Zielinski’s penalty was saved in the 63rd minute after Jeyland Mitchell’s foul on Thuram, which was confirmed by VAR.

Inter expertly defended their lead for the remainder of the match, restricting Feyenoord to just one more chance when David Hancko headed Anis Hadj Moussa’s corner off target.