Juventus 1-1 Inter Milan: Romelu Lukaku nets late penalty before being sent off in chaotic Coppa Italia semi-final clash

Romelu Lukaku equalised with the last kick of the game before being sent off as Inter Milan earned a 1-1 draw with Juventus in a semi-final first leg that exploded into life late on.

Both sides struggled to create big chances until Juan Cuadrado struck the opener in the 83rd minute, but a handball from Gleison Bremer in stoppage time led to a chaotic climax.

Substitute Lukaku converted from the spot to level things up, but he received a second yellow card for celebrating provocatively towards the Juve fans.

The drama continued after the full-time whistle had blown, as Cuadrado and Inter captain Samir Handanovic also received red cards as scuffles broke out between the two sets of players.

Cup holders Inter will host Juve for the second leg at San Siro on 26 April, with the winner facing Fiorentina or Cremonese in the final.

The game started at a good tempo as both sides went in search of the opener; Angel Di Maria came closest when his effort after five minutes was tipped wide by Inter captain Handanovic, who was marking his 450th appearance for the club.

Inter’s best opening came in the 34th minute when Mattia Perin showed sharp reactions to stick out a leg and deny Brozovic’s low shot, while after the break Dusan Vlahovic steered a header over and Henrikh Mkhitaryan fizzed a dangerous effort wide.

Juve substitute Arkadiusz Milik missed a golden chance when he failed to steer a Cuadrado cross home from six yards with the goal gaping, but his blushes seemed to be spared when the Colombian was left with time and space in the box to fire home the hard-earned opener late on.

However, Lukaku’s penalty and the subsequent flared tempers led to a lively conclusion.

Talking point – Pressure still on for Inzaghi

For all the joy Inter fans will feel at the last-gasp equaliser against their rivals, the cold, hard fact is that their winless run now stands at five matches.

Three consecutive Serie A defeats to Spezia, Juve and Fiorentina, plus draws against Porto and the Bianconeri in cup competitions, have heaped pressure on coach Simone Inzaghi.

He was given a vote of confidence of sorts before the game by director Beppe Marotta, who asserted that “we have faith in Simone” and “there is a trusting, multi-year relationship” while pointing out that: “The most important thing is the Champions League, being out of it would mean reviewing all our plans for the next year.”

The message is clear – as much as they would like to retain the Coppa Italia, Inzaghi will be judged on the top-four race, not domestic cup success, come the end of the campaign.

Player of the match – Juan Cuadrado

It feels odd to give this to a player who was sent off, but judged on performance from first whistle to last whistle, Cuadrado was the most impactful player on the pitch.

He scored the only goal from open play in a tight game where opportunities required a clinical edge, while he would have ended with an assist to his name too if Milik had steered home his excellent cross from close range.

It’s a shame the Colombian put a big mark against an otherwise impressive display by earning a red card after the final whistle had blown.

Player ratings

Juventus: Perin 7; Gatti 6, Bremer 5, Danilo 6; Cuadrado 7, Fagioli 6, Locatelli 6, Rabiot 6, Kostic 6; Di Maria 6; Vlahovic 5.. subs: Chiesa 6, Miretti 6, Milik 5

InterMilan: Handanovic 6; D’Ambrosio 6, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 5; Darmian 6, Barella 6, Brozovic 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Dimarco 6; Dzeko 6, Lautaro Martinez 6.. subs: Lukaku 7, Gosens 6, Dumfries 6, Asllani 6, Correa N/A

Match highlights

79’ MILIK MISSES A SITTER – Big Juve chance! A cross from the left is headed out as far as Cuadrado, who fires a clever low cross into the area. Milik is there, but sticks out a leg and diverts his finish wide from six yards!

83’ GOAL! CUADRADO BREAKS THE DEADLOCK! We have a goal finally! Cuadrado strikes as a cross from the left is nodded into his path. The Colombian is left all alone with time to take a touch and steer a finish past Handanovic.

95’ LUKAKU SCORES! With seconds to go, the referee awards Inter a penalty for a Bremer handball! Lukaku sends Perin the wrong way and equalises with the last kick of the game! Scenes in Turin!

96’ LUKAKU SENT OFF! The Belgian is sent off for his celebration – he was already on a yellow. What a dramatic end we’ve got here.

Full-time: MORE RED CARDS! The action has continued since full-time! Handanovic and Cuadrado have also earned themselves red cards as scuffles break out between the two sets of players, which seem to continue down the tunnel.

Key stats

• Five of the last eight Inter’s goals against Juventus in all competitions have been scored by penalty. Episodes.
• Samir Handanovic is only the second goalkeeper to reach 450 matches in Inter’s history, after Walter Zenga (473). Milestone.