LISBON (AP) — Inter Milan snapped out of a slump with a 2-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.
Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku scored the second-half goals at the Estadio de la Luz, giving Inter its first win in more than a month. The Italian side took a good lead in their attempt to reach the semifinals of the top European tournament for the first time in more than a decade.
Benfica owned the initiative, but Inter struck first with a Barella header from Alessandro Bastoni’s long cross in the 51st minute.
Lukaku came off the bench and scored from a penalty at 82. The maximum penalty was awarded after the video referee confirmed a handball by João Mário, formerly of Inter, in the area.
It was Benfica’s first loss in 13 Champions League games this season. The Portuguese began their journey in the third round of qualifying and were one of the revelations of the tournament after finishing first undefeated in a difficult group that included Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Inter had gone six straight games without winning in all competitions. Their last win was against Lecce in the Italian league in March.
The return appointment will be next week in Milan.
