Arsenal, Inter through to Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal and Internazionale are into the last four of the UEFA Champions League after winning their respective quarter-finals on Thursday morning (AEST).

The Gunners brought a 3-0 lead into their clash with Real Madrid in Spain, and the Premier League powerhouse put in a mostly assured performance to win 2-1 on the night and seal a 5-1 aggregate result.

All the goals came within the last half-hour of the match, with Bukayo Saka putting the visitors ahead in the 65th minute with a delightful chipped finish.

The hosts struck back just two minutes later, however, with Vinicius Jr capitalising on a costly error from William Saliba to give the Bernabeu faithful some hope.

But Madrid could not find another breakthrough, and Gabriel Martinelli killed off the tie in injury time with a tidy finish from a blistering counterattack.

Arsenal’s next assignment in the UCL is Paris Saint-Germain, with top soccer betting sites installing Mikel Arteta’s men as $2.10 favourites to win the first leg in London on April 30.

Over in Italy, Inter came back to the San Siro holding a 2-1 lead over Bayern Munich after snatching a late winner in Germany last week.

Following a goalless first half, Harry Kane brought the tie to life when he struck in the 52nd minute to level the ledger overall.

But Lautaro Martinez restored Inter’s advantage six minutes later, and former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard gave the home side a two-goal buffer with a bullet header only three minutes after that.

Eric Dier made it level again on the night when a looping cross-goal header snuck home in the 76th minute, but the Nerazzurri held off some late Bayern flurries to clinch a 4-3 aggregate win.

Next up for Inter is a tough trip to Barcelona on April 30, and the best bookmakers have the Serie A leaders at long odds of $4.75 to salute in Spain.

2024-25 Champions League title odds

Sports news