Photo: Romelu Lukaku (left) and Lautaro Martinez both scored two goals as Inter Milan slammed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 to advance to the Europa League final. (Getty Images)
Inter Milan slammed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 to march into the finals of the Europa League on Monday as two goals each, from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez helped set up a date with Sevilla. It was the largest margin of victory in a semifinal in the Europa League that didn’t involve a return leg.
The game was a slow burner, but sprang to life in the 19th minute when Inter recovered the ball in midfield from a poor clearance from goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Martinez scored with a glancing header from a right sided cross from Nicolo Barella after he got in front of his marker to steer the ball home for his first on the night.
A lethargic looking Shakhtar finally created an opportunity in the 30th minute but Junior Moraes was denied by a last-ditch tackle in the 30th minute.
Martinez could have made it 2-0 with a lobbed effort after getting the better of his marker, but it was clawed away to safety by Pyatov.
Taison had a wild effort for Shahktar as they struggled to make an impression on the game.
Lukaku tried to bend one in the far corner but it went just wide as Inter’s leading scorer threatened just before half time.
Moraes should have drawn Shakhtar level but his free header went straight at Shamir Handanovic from five yards out in the 62nd min.
Two minutes later Danilo D’ambrosio heads home at the back post directly from a corner kick for a 2-0 as Inter brutally punished Shakhtar.
Martinez then arrowed the ball into the bottom corner for 3-0 in the 74thminite for his second of the game and Inter’s third.
Lukaku then scored in his 10th consecutive games in the Europa League when he steered the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot in the 79th min.
But the Belgian striker was not done after he extended his amazing record as he used his power and speed to turn his marker, drove towards goal and stroke the ball into the goal through the legs of Pyatov to make it 5-0 as he registered his 14th Europa League goal of the season seven minutes from time.
It was his last act of the game as he was immediately substituted by Antonio Conte who have taken Inter back to their first final since 2011.
The final will be played at the Stadion Koln on Friday.
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