Analyzing Lukaku’s Magical Strike That Earned Inter A Famous Win Over Porto
Romelu Lukaku struck late in Inter Milan’s Champions League group stage game against Porto to snatch a 1-0 win for his side and move them closer to the top of Group B.
The Belgian forward, who had already found the net three times in this season’s competition, expertly controlled a loose ball just inside the area before neatly finishing past goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin.
It was an impressive piece of individual brilliance from Lukaku which gave Inter all three points on Wednesday night in what was a tight and cagey affair between two teams fighting for two places behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.
Inter coach Antonio Conte said afterwards: “I’m really happy with Romelu’s contribution tonight but it was the team that should take all the credit. We worked hard and managed to stay focused throughout the match, even when we were not creating that many chances.”
Lukaku has been instrumental for Inter this season, having scored 20 goals since joining from Manchester United last summer. His goal against Porto was his fourth in as many Champions League games this campaign and it took him to 11 goals in 15 matches across all competitions so far.
The striker also now has six goals in his last four matches spanning all competitions, having scored five times in Inter’s past three league games before finding the net against Porto on Wednesday evening.
For Porto, they had their chances throughout the game but failed to make them count, with several good opportunities going begging. On one such occasion early into second half stoppage time, substitute Luis Diaz burst through on goal only to be denied by some superb defending from Stefan de Vrij, who threw himself into a block challenge at full stretch as Diaz looked set to score – sparking wild celebrations among Inter’s players and supporters alike.
That moment proved pivotal as just one minute later Lukaku latched onto a loose ball inside the area and finished emphatically beyond Marchesin to clinch victory for his side – sending everyone wearing an Inter Milan jersey into raptures at San Siro Stadium.
The win moves Inter up to second place in Group B, level on points with Monchengladbach and one point behind leaders Porto. The Italians are now very much in the driving seat for a spot alongside their German counterparts in the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League.
There is still work to be done, however, and Inter will have to wait until their final group stage game against Shakhtar Donetsk before they can finally book their place in the round of 16. But if Lukaku continues his scoring streak then Inter should feel confident ahead of that final tie as they look to progress into Europe’s elite competition beyond Christmas.