Lautaro Martinez became Inter’s top scorer in the Champions League after throwing the second of his team’s two goals, as the Italian side ran 2-0 winners over Feyenoord in the first 16-foot round.
Martinez scored his 18th goal in the competition shortly after the half time to overcome Sandro Mazzola, as Nerazzurri made a big step to reach the last eight.
Marcus Thuram had given visitors the lead in Rotterdam and could have everything, but sealed the competition after the time the host Timon Welllenreuther did not hold the Piotr Zielinski sentence.
The result means that the new boss Feyenoord Robin Van Persie has a monumental work in his hands in San Siro next week, if the Dutch have any hope of moving forward.
In the meantime, the interior will be full of confidence in the second leg as they seem to go better than in 2023 when they had beat the finalists against Manchester City.
How the action unfolded
For much of the launch, the Serie A side offered little threat. However, all of this changed in 37 minutes when a sweeping moving down right side of the Inter culminated with the ball that came out into the box.
Thuram reacted faster than either the guard and defenders of Feyenoord, jumping into the air to push the ball to the roof of the network.
Brilliant cross, brilliant finish! 💥
Marcus Thuram gives the Inter Lead in Rotterdam! 🔵🔝
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– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5 2025
The goal seemed to trigger life to Simone Inzaghi’s men. And, less than five minutes after the break, Inter doubled the lead when Martinez ran home closely after a leper in the Feyenoord penalty area.
Broke this house !! ☄*
Lautaro Martinez puts visitors in full control of the tie! ⚔*
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– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5 2025
The target gave control of the tie and ensured that Martinez becomes the top scorer in the competition.
But shortly thereafter, Feyenoord suffered their threat when Brighton Loanee Jakub Moder hit the crossbar as the Van Persie side went in desperate search for a way back into the game.
But it was Inzaghi’s side that, right after the hour, took the opportunity to further extend the lead when Jeyland Mitchell grabbed Thuram’s heel in the box. VAR overthrew the referee’s original decision and was awarded a penalty.
However, the Dutch side gave a salvation as Welllenreuther saved Zielinski’s kick to keep the deficit in just two.
It may prove to be an extremely important moment, but only if Feyenoord produces something close to a miracle in Milan in six days. Again, Stranger Things have happened.
