Inter Milan vs. AC Milan score: Lautaro Martinez double sends Nerazzurri to Coppa Italia final

The Nerazzurri are back in the final for the first time since the 2010-11 season

The Derby della Madonnina went emphatically to Inter Milan on Tuesday as Simone Inzaghi's team dominated rival AC Milan in their Coppa Italia semifinal second leg, 3-0. Inter on Tuesday advanced to their first domestic cup final since the 2010-11 season, beating AC Milan with a 3-0 score on aggregate after the first leg, played last month, ended 0-0. 

It was a first-half brace for Lautaro Martinez that paced the hosts, with Milan struggling to test Samir Handanovic consistently. A late goal from Robin Gosens produced the unflattering result for the Rossoneri as the two sides are still set to battle for the league crown down the final stretch of Serie A season.

Inter had fewer chances than Milan and saw less of the ball but were much more effective, while Inzaghi's team also defended well when it mattered, leaving very little space to work with in the box. 

Right time for Lautaro to turn it on

There was a point this season where the striker just looked off and lost. From the span of Dec. 22 till Feb. 2, he failed to score a goal. But since then, he's found his footing and fired his team into within reach of the trophy. Not only was it the goal at Anfield in the Champions League that helped him regain his footing, but he also scored a hat trick on March 4 in Serie A, found the back of the net against Spezia on Friday and then added a brace in this one. He's got seven goals in the last month and a half. Inter have now gone 10 games without a loss, with Lautaro's form making them the Coppa Italia final favorites ... and potentially the same in Serie A. 

He was absolutely clinical in this one, scoring this incredible winner just minutes in:

Inzaghi continues to look like the right man  

Eleven months ago when Inter Milan appointed Simone Inzaghi as new coach after Antonio Conte packed his bags right after winning the scudetto, only few people imagined the Nerazzurri would fare this well, especially after losing key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi. 

The ex-Lazio coach in his first year in charge has won the Supercoppa, reached the Coppa Italia final, and is in the thick of the scudetto race with its in-town rivals until the end. The only competition where they have fallen short has been in the Champions League where they were eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16 despite winning at Anfield. All in all. we can already say that it's been somewhat of a successful season for the Inter coach as fans will now raise expectations and push for at least another trophy after beating AC Milan in the semifinals of the Coppa Italia. 

Inzaghi must feel the pressure, especially as he's potentially set to go atop the Serie A table if Inter Milan manage to win against Bologna next week. Inzaghi was able to keep the morale high after last summer in a moment where only few believed in the club's project. The end of the season (and trophies) will determine his final judgement. It's probably a bit brutal, but that's Italian soccer for you. 

A boost for the scudetto race for Inter

We must also take into account that this crucial win will also have some psychological consequences on the scudetto race. The last Serie A derby played in February featured a Olivier Giroud brace and it completely shook up the landscape of the scudetto race for the last two months. Inter Milan were definitely affected by the loss while AC Milan had a fresh, new energy that drove the team to the top of the table until now. 

It all looked to be going Milan's way until Inter picked themselves back up as of late. This game could have similar reverberations if Inter manage to take care of business as they control their destiny with a game in hand. The two teams featured on Tuesday have all the makings of leaving it until the very end to decide who hoists the Serie A title. 

Inter Milan came out on top Tuesday as their fans hope that this is just a little taste of what can happen in few weeks in the streets of Milan. Winning a back-to-back league title for the first time since 2010 might be one of the greatest moments of the recent history of the club. 

With the win, they will face either Juventus or Fiorentina in the final on May 11, with the other semifinal being decided on Wednesday live at 3 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

That's it! Inter win!

It's over! Inter win 3-0 and are into the Coppa Italia final for the first time since the 2010-11 season! 

[Apr 19, 2022 at 4:45 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Gosens makes it 3-0!

Inter have slammed the door shot! Gosens finishes from close, and it's 3-0 to Inter!

[Apr 19, 2022 at 4:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

A tough blow for Milan

Really looked like they had cut their deficit in half, setting up a wild finish, but it wasn't meant to be. Just 15 minutes to go now, and a minor miracle is needed.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Milan ... or not?

Bennacer! Milan pull one back off a corner with a blistering shot from the top of the box! Inter want a handball to be called! The goal is under review.

And it's called off! Actually it is due to an offside call on a Milan player blocking the view of Handanovic! 

[Apr 19, 2022 at 4:26 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Just 30 minutes to go

Desperation time for AC Milan now. They must risk conceding a third by going all in on a second. They continue to advance the ball and approach the box, but Inter continue to defend very well while remaining compact.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 4:09 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The second half is underway! 

45 minutes for Milan to come back as Junior Messias and Brahim Diaz come on for Saelemaekers and Tonali.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Halftime!

It's Inter 2, Milan 0. Two goals from Lautaro Martinez are the difference. Milan had their moments, but the precision has been off while Inter have been clinical. Uphill climb left for Milan. Inter on the verge of advancing to the final.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:48 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Martinez's second goal

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:45 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

2-0 to Inter!

On the counter, Inter double their lead! During Milan's best spell of the match, Inter go on the counter and deliver clinically! Brozovic plays the ball out wide to the left to Correa, and he turns inside and delivers a brilliant ball to Martinez who finishes with ease alone inside the box!

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:34 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

30' Another chance for Milan!

Saelemaekers with a powerful volley from the top of the box that Handanovic saves well! That had some curl on it and was far from an easy stop! 

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:31 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

27' The opportunities are there for Milan

They are seeing time on the ball in the attacking third, but the end product is poor as Rafael Leao beats his defender but wastes a great look at goal, sending a narrow shot wide.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:18 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Video: Martinez's goal

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:14 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Better from Milan

The visitors have gained a bit of traction in the match now, defending well and getting the ball forward via the wings. Now it is about putting the ball in dangerous spots to try and pull level. So much time to go as we haven't even reached the 15th minute, but the pressure is on.

[Apr 19, 2022 at 3:07 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

4' Goal Inter!

Lautaro Martinez opens the scoring! It's a fine one-hit finish from the Argentine from inside the box! A flying start!

[Apr 19, 2022 at 2:30 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Prediction from our Francesco Porzio

Expect a very close match and probably one where goals are few and far between, especially if we look at AC Milan's recent form matches since they have only scored five in the past six fixtures. The Rossoneri comes out on top here. Pick: AC Milan 1, Inter Milan 0 

[Apr 19, 2022 at 1:55 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Viewing information 

Date: Tuesday, Apr. 19 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Stadio San Siro -- Milan, Italy
TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream: Paramount+
Pregame coverage: 2:30 p.m. ET

[Apr 19, 2022 at 1:52 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Team news for AC Milan

Stefano Pioli can also start with his usual starting XI with Pierre Kalulu as right back and Matteo Gabbia who will play alongside Fikayo Tomori as center back since Alessio Romagnoli is still in doubt. Olivier Giroud will be their go-to striker considering Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still sidelined and will miss the entire week for his recovery process. Giroud was the deciding player of the derby won by AC Milan in February with a crucial brace that completely changed the course of the current Serie A campaign.