(Football news) Inter thrashed AC Milan 3-0 to enter the Coppa Italia Final as a double from Lautaro Martinez sealed their city rivals fate. The first leg was a goalless draw but Inter scored after just four minutes in the return leg when Martinez, starting ahead of Edin Dzeko, smartly turned in Matteo Darmian's inch perfect cross at the near post for his second goal in successive games. Milan almost levelled at the half-hour through Rafael Leao but the Portuguese was denied by an excellent save from Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. The Slovenian was on fire as he made another smart stop minutes later to keep out Belgian forward Alexis Saelemaekers.

The Rossoneri were left to rue those missed chances as Inter regrouped themselves and doubled their lead five minutes before halftime when Martinez scored again for his second of the night, slotting the ball in the goal after being played in by his Argentine compatriot Joaquin Correa. AC Milan had several half-chances after the break but Ismael Bennacer's 68th-minute goal was ruled out for an offside before substitute Robin Gosens put the final nail in the coffin when he sealed the win for Inter with his first goal for the club as they edged towards a first Coppa Italia title in more than a decade.

"We wanted to win, we didn't achieve that, we were certainly up against a strong opponent," said Milan boss Stefano Pioli.

"I don't think the performance was worthy of a 3-0 but Inter scored at the right times. Naturally going 2-1 down would have created a different match and given us more momentum… we didn't lack effort, intensity or chances but it wasn't our night."

"I am happy because we are playing another final," said Martinez, who has endured a difficult season. "There are things said that I don't like, but I defend this jersey. The club put a lot of faith in me and I try to repay them on the pitch.

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