Inter Milan Edges Bayern Munich with Last-Minute Triumph in Champions League Showdown

Inter Milan clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg, thanks to an 88th-minute winner by Davide Frattesi. The thrilling match took place on Tuesday, leaving Inter fans hopeful for a return to the same stadium for the May 31 final.

The first half saw Lautaro Martínez score for Inter shortly after a rare miss by Bayern’s Harry Kane, who hit the woodwork and looked on in disbelief. Kane’s miss was uncharacteristic, given his prowess, leaving Bayern fans stunned.

Although substitute Thomas Müller, who is set to leave Bayern at the season’s end, leveled the score five minutes from the end, Frattesi dashed their hopes by finding the net three minutes later. This result ended Bayern’s 22-game unbeaten streak at home in Europe and set the stage for an intense second leg at San Siro next Wednesday.

Inter will face Bayern again, with a spot in the semifinals against either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund at stake. “Tonight was no easy task, and we anticipated that,” said Müller. “Both teams had their chances, but it was the ones that counted.”

The injury-hit Bayern, missing key players like attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala, faced a determined Inter with their own share of absences. Harry Kane was eager to add to his 10-goal Champions League tally but missed a key header early on, easily dealt with by Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer.

Kane had another golden opportunity minutes later, but his shot curled onto the post, leaving Bayern supporters prematurely celebrating. In contrast, Inter’s Lautaro capitalized on his chance ten minutes later, initiating and finishing a move that put Inter ahead.

The Argentine star seized the ball in the central area and passed it to Carlos Augusto, whose cross was flicked back by Marcus Thuram for Lautaro to hammer home, marking his sixth goal in four Champions League appearances.

In the second half, both teams created chances, but Bayern intensified their attack as time passed. Their persistence paid off when a cross found Konrad Laimer, who set up Müller to score from close range, sparking hopes of a comeback.

Yet, Bayern’s optimism left them vulnerable at the back, and Inter exploited this. Nicolò Barella’s perceptive pass allowed Carlos Augusto to dash into the box and set up Frattesi, who slotted the winning goal, leaving Bayern defeated and Inter victorious.