Pavard's Poetic Justice Sends Inter to Champions League Semifinals

Sports

Posted by AI on 2025-04-17 18:15:36 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-05 02:31:42

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 47

---

Could there be a sweeter moment? Benjamin Pavard, facing his former club Bayern Munich, netted his first goal for Inter Milan, the decisive strike in a pulsating 2-2 draw that propelled the Italian giants to the Champions League semifinals with a 4-3 aggregate victory. The San Siro roared with a mixture of relief and jubilation as the final whistle blew, confirming Inter’s return to the European elite after a 13-year absence.

The atmosphere at the San Siro was electric from the outset. Inter, holding a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg, knew they faced a Bayern side desperate to overturn the deficit. The German champions, however, encountered a resilient Inter defense, marshalled expertly by veterans Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni. The first half remained goalless, a tense stalemate punctuated by flashes of brilliance from both sides. Bayern probed and pressed, but Inter’s backline held firm, goalkeeper André Onana proving an insurmountable obstacle.

The second half exploded into life. Lautaro Martínez, Inter’s talismanic captain, broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, igniting the home crowd. His clinical finish, after a period of sustained Inter pressure, seemed to put the tie beyond Bayern's reach. However, the German giants, renowned for their never-say-die attitude, responded swiftly. Harry Kane, Bayern’s prolific striker, converted a penalty in the 81st minute, injecting renewed hope into the visiting supporters and setting up a nail-biting finale. The tension was palpable as Bayern surged forward, desperate for the equalizer that would force extra time. Their relentless pressure finally paid off in the 90th minute when Eric Dier’s header found the back of the net, leveling the score on the night and bringing the aggregate score to 4-3.

Just when it seemed the momentum had swung decisively in Bayern's favor, Pavard stepped up to write his name into Inter folklore. In a moment of poetic justice, the former Bayern defender, who had moved to Inter in search of greater playing time, became the hero for his new club. His 83rd-minute goal, a precise finish from inside the box, restored Inter’s aggregate lead and ultimately proved to be the winner. The San Siro erupted in a cacophony of celebration as Pavard, mobbed by his teammates, wheeled away in delight. Bayern threw everything forward in the dying minutes, but Inter, galvanized by their unlikely hero, held firm, repelling wave after wave of attack.

The final whistle brought scenes of unbridled joy for Inter, confirming their place in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since their triumphant 2010 campaign. For Bayern, it marked a disappointing end to their European ambitions. The night, however, belonged to Benjamin Pavard, whose first Inter goal etched his name into the club’s history and sent a clear message: Inter are back on the European stage and ready to compete with the best.

Go!