Inter Milan secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu’s flawless penalty just before halftime. The Turkish midfielder maintained his impeccable record from the spot, converting his 19th consecutive penalty since joining Inter.
The match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was tense from the outset, with both teams entering the game without conceding a goal in their previous three Champions League fixtures. Inter started strongly, with Denzel Dumfries rattling the crossbar early on with a powerful strike.
As the first half drew to a close, Arsenal’s Mikel Merino was penalized for a controversial handball inside the box. After a VAR check upheld the referee’s decision, Calhanoglu stepped up confidently to send goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way, giving Inter the lead.
In the second half, Arsenal intensified their efforts to find an equalizer. Kai Havertz came close on multiple occasions, only to be denied by Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer and some resolute defending. Despite dominating possession and registering 14 goal attempts, the Gunners struggled to break down Inter’s organized defense.
The introduction of Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard, returning from injury, provided a late boost for the visitors. However, Inter Milan held firm to claim all three points, moving them to 10 points from four games and solidifying their position at the top of the group.
Arsenal, meanwhile, find themselves outside the top eight automatic qualifiers for the knockout phase with seven points, emphasizing the competitive nature of this year’s tournament.
This victory marks a significant step for Inter Milan in their Champions League campaign, showcasing their defensive resilience and clinical finishing. For Arsenal, the focus now shifts to regrouping and addressing the creative shortcomings that hampered their performance in Milan.
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Calhanoglu scores penalty to give Inter Milan victory over Arsenal
cgtn.com
