Inter again failed to make the most of their chances and were undone by stunning Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio strikes, while Nicolò Barella saw red for a reaction foul.
Champions League Liveblog: Real Madrid-Inter and Milan-Liverpool
Both teams were already qualified for the Round of 16, so this was a head-to-head for top spot, with the Nerazzurri needing a victory to snatch it from Carlo Ancelotti. Stefan de Vrij was only fit for the bench, but Matteo Darmian, Andrea Ranocchia and Joaquin Correa out of action. The hosts missed Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos.
Vinicius saw his shot deflected wide and Marcelo Brozovic volleyed over from the edge of the box, while Ivan Perisic’s effort was charged down from 10 yards.
It was Toni Kroos who broke the deadlock with a ferocious left-foot strike from outside the box that flew into the far bottom corner, giving Samir Handanovic little chance.
Perisic’s glancing header from a corner hit the side-netting, as did Jovic when Handanovic rushed off his line to narrow the angle on the counter.
Rodrygo nearly made it 2-0 with a turn and strike from the edge of the box that cannoned off the base of the upright with Handanovic well beaten.
Inter ended the first half with 13 attempts on goal, but most were either charged down or off target.
Nicolò Barella had a big chance at the dawn of the second half, sent clear by a slide-rule pass, but fired over the bar.
It went from bad to worse, as Barella was barged into the advertising boards by Eder Militao and the pair clashed on the touchline, sparking a scuffle. VAR told the referee to book Militao and show Barella a straight red card for his reaction foul, a very harsh view of the situation and it means the Italy international will be suspended for at least the first leg of the Round of 16.
Federico Dimarco’s header was easy for Thibaut Courtois, while Handanovic got a glove to Rodrygo’s angled drive.
Handanovic again could do precious little on a stunning strike for 2-0, Marcos Asensio letting loose with a curler from distance that went in off the frame of the goal at the far top corner.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter
Kroos 17 (RM), Asensio 79 (RM)
Sent off: Barella 64 (I)
What trash from inter . Crazy goals by real. That’s all
They had , but terrible attitude by inter . Barella what a child
@Blop…
So, Militao was justified on crashing Barella to the boards?
Just proves how UEFA favors Spanish teams.
Inter lose in Europe? In other news, water is a liquid.
Bye Barella! Inter will crash out of the 1/8 finals.
Blop what would you do if you got punted into the advertising boards? I know I would knock him out so hard he’d think he was back in the favelas.
Ole ole ole.
I don’t blame Nico for getting mad.
Absolutely dumb to lose control like barella did in a fairly meaningless match and then get 3 match suspension and miss both KO games.
Inter should give him a heavy fine.