Martínez and Pavard pounce to propel Inter past Bayern

Buffeted by wind and water, Inter ultimately brought the fire.

- Nick Ames

Nobody should sleep on them as a credible contender to rule Europe now Bayern Munich, who took them to the wire in a tie that pulsated throughout, have been dismissed. Goals from Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard edged them through amid jubilant scenes and filthy conditions, eventually rendering an English double from Harry Kane and Eric Dier irrelevant. Their semi-final against Barcelona is a delicious prospect; Bayern, and Kane in particular, will regret opportunities spurned across the 180 minutes.

San Siro had crackled at the outset. This venue is firmly of its time but that need not always be a fatal flaw and what a loss it will be if Inter and Milan, its two tenants, make real their plan for a new venue nearby. Serious business happens here: there may be nowhere that oozes Champions League like this.

Inter had rolled home from the first leg with confidence: too much so if you asked Vincent Kompany or Kane, who had both noted their exuberant celebrations after Davide Frattesi's dramatic winner. Yet Bayern are hardly shrinking violets on this stage and Kompany decided this was an occasion for Thomas Müller, assassin extraordinaire and almost their saviour eight days previously.