Inter Milan scored two second half goals to defeat Benfica 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie played on Tuesday at the Estádio da Luz.
Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku struck in the closing half to put Inter on course for their first last-four appearance since 2010.
Barella headed Inter into the lead after the break before Lukaku, came off the bench to convert from the spot to help his side secure victory in Portugal.
Before the closing half, both sides had chances to break the deadlock but failed to convert.
Rafa Silva fired straight at Inter’s goalkeeper Andre Onana before Francesco Acerbi, on the other end also failing to beat Odysseas Vlachodimos after an excellent cross from Joao Mario.
Inter did take the lead in 51st minute though, when Barella rose unchallenged in the box to head in a well driven-in Alessandro Bastoni’s cross
The hosts, Benfica then had a chance to level matters but were denied by Denzel Dumfries, who got into the way to deny both Silva and Mario.
Lukaku, who came off the bench for Edin Dzeko after an hour sealed Inter’s victory in the 82nd minute when he converted from the spot after Mario handled the ball in the area.
Apart from those two goals in the second half, Inter had a couple of other chances to score more but Vlachodimos made important saves to deny both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Dumfries.
Onana also made a vital stop for Inter late on in the game to stop Goncalo Ramos from getting a goal which would have given Benfica some hope ahead of the second leg next week.
The two sides will meet each other again on April 19th at the San Siro, with the aggregate winner qualifying for the Semis.
