In-form forward Lautaro Martinez scored a goal but also had a penalty saved as Inter Milan beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on Wednesday to record its first victory in this season's Champions League.
Martinez put Inter in front in the 22nd minute with his fifth goal in his past four matches for Inter.
Click to Gallery
In-form forward Lautaro Martinez scored a goal but also had a penalty saved as Inter Milan beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on Wednesday to record its first victory in this season's Champions League.
The penalty was won by 17-year-old Sebastiano Esposito, who had troubled the Dortmund defense since coming off the bench and was brought down by Mats Hummels.
Inter went into the match needing a win after defeat in Barcelona and a draw at home to Slavia Prague, while Dortmund had won in Prague and managed to hold Barcelona to a draw.
The majority of the stadium erupted into cheers, briefly quieting the Dortmund fans, who had been a noisy sea of yellow up in the third tier of San Siro.
Candreva could have doubled Inter's lead almost immediately after the break but he fired narrowly over from inside the penalty area.
The Argentina international could have doubled his tally late on but his spot kick was parried by Roman Bürki.
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the Champions League, Group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
The penalty was won by 17-year-old Sebastiano Esposito, who had troubled the Dortmund defense since coming off the bench and was brought down by Mats Hummels.
As Dortmund pushed for the equalizer it left space at the back, and Antonio Candreva capitalized on that to seal the result for Inter with a minute remaining.
Inter and Dortmund are level on four points in Group F, three behind leader Barcelona after the Catalan side won 2-1 at Slavia Prague.
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez kisses the ball before a penalty during the Champions League, Group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
Inter went into the match needing a win after defeat in Barcelona and a draw at home to Slavia Prague, while Dortmund had won in Prague and managed to hold Barcelona to a draw.
Inter broke the deadlock when Stefan de Vrij floated a great ball over the top for Martinez to spring the offside trap and fire into the back of the net.
There was a brief check with the video assistant referee before confirmation that Nico Schulz had played Martinez onside.
Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte shouts during the Champions League, Group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)
The majority of the stadium erupted into cheers, briefly quieting the Dortmund fans, who had been a noisy sea of yellow up in the third tier of San Siro.
It was the first goal the German side had conceded in this season's Champions League.
Dortmund almost levelled with the last kick of the first half but Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic pulled off a great save to deny Jadon Sancho.
Inter Milan's Antonio Candreva, right, scores his side second goal during the Champions League, Group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct.23, 2019. (AP PhotoAntonio Calanni)
Candreva could have doubled Inter's lead almost immediately after the break but he fired narrowly over from inside the penalty area.
He did get his goal with a minute remaining, and shortly after Martinez's missed penalty, when Inter went on a swift counter and Candreva was sent clear by Marcelo Brozovic.
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Inter Milan's Antonio Candreva celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League, Group F soccer match between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)