Inter punish Getafe's mistakes to go into last eight

Inter Milan booked their spot in the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Getafe 2-0 with a goal in each half. 

Inter's meeting with the La Liga side was played over just one leg in Gelsenkirchen to save time ahead of next week's last eight to be held in Germany. They advanced to the next round as Romelu Lukaku became the club's first player to score in five straight European appearances since Brazilian striker Adriano in 2004. Lukaku slotted home after Alessandro Bastoni's long ball after 33 minutes to open the scoring.

The Spaniards were given a chance to take the game to extra-time with 15 minutes remaining as VAR said Diego Godin had handballed in his own box but veteran centre-forward Jorge Molina missed the penalty. Christian Eriksen made sure of Inter's spot after 84 minutes with his first touch after Dakonam Djene made a mess of a clearance inside his own area.

Getafe started the contest the brighter and nearly scored after two minutes when Maksimovic headed Damian Suarez's cross towards goal, but Handanovic made a fine save. Pepe Bordalas' men continued to pile on the pressure and Jaime Mata nearly put Getafe ahead 15 minutes later from Cucurella's cross, but Bastoni made a vital block. 

 

August 5, 2020

Inter picked up and Lautaro Martinez tested Soria on two occasions before Lukaku put Inter ahead. A long punt forward found the Belgian who turned past Etxeita and then hit into Soria's far corner. The half ended with some unnecessary play acting, but once Inter scored, they were reasonably comfortable for the rest of the contest. 

Barella hit one wide while substitute Angel Rodriguez made a difference for Getafe and the La Liga side could have been on level terms after 66 minutes when a cross from Nyom found Mata, but the Inter GK made a tremendous save to tip it over the bar. Then, Getafe got their golden opportunity with 15 minutes left after VAR Stuart Attwell spotted a handball, but Molina hit to the right of Handanovic's goal, 

Lukaku should have made it 2-0 seconds later, but he cue ended on in the Getafe box and then when Eriksen doubled Inter's lead after D'Ambrosio's cross was not dealt with, Getafe knew the game was up. The Spanish outfit did not play badly. but they failed to take their chances and were punished by a quality Inter side. 

Antonio Conte's Inter Milan will now face either Steven Gerrard's Rangers or Bayer Leverkusen with the Germans holding a 3-1 lead going into Thursday's match.