Table of Contents
Introduction:
The history of European football is filled with epic rivalries, and the clash between Inter Milan and FC Porto stands out as a prime example of the excitement and drama that football fans love. Both clubs carry impressive histories, leaving a lasting impact on the continent’s prestigious competitions. In this article, we’ll explore their historic encounters, stretching from their first face-off in 1959 to their latest battle in 2020.
1959: The Inaugural Encounter in European Competition
The first time Inter Milan and FC Porto faced off in an official match was during the quarter-finals of the 1958-59 European Cup. Back then, Inter Milan went by the name Internazionale and had clinched the Italian league title in the prior season. On the flip side, FC Porto secured the second spot in the Portuguese league.
The initial showdown took place in Milan, and Inter Milan emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Alessandro Mazzola and Benito Lorenzi. Moving on to the second leg in Porto, FC Porto turned the tables by winning 1-0, thanks to a goal from António Teixeira. Despite the second-leg loss, Inter Milan advanced to the semi-finals based on the aggregate score. Unfortunately, their journey in the competition came to an end in the semi-finals, as they were defeated by Real Madrid.
1965: FC Porto’s Glorious Triumph in the European Cup Winners’ Cup
Fast forward to 1965, and Inter Milan and FC Porto met once again, this time in the semi-finals of the 1964-65 European Cup Winners’ Cup. FC Porto, coming off a victory in the Portuguese Cup the previous season, faced Inter Milan, the reigning European Cup champions.
The first leg unfolded in Porto, witnessing a thrilling 3-2 victory for FC Porto. António Oliveira, Jaime Graça, and José Augusto found the net for Porto, while Sandro Mazzola and Mario Corso scored for Inter Milan. The stage then shifted to Milan for the second leg, where FC Porto delivered another surprise with a 2-1 win, featuring goals from António Oliveira and José Augusto. Mario Corso notched another goal for Inter Milan, but it wasn’t enough. FC Porto’s triumph earned them a spot in the final, where they went on to defeat Juventus 1-0, securing their first European trophy.
Inter Milan’s Victory in the 1982 UEFA Cup
In 1982, Inter Milan and FC Porto crossed paths once more, this time in the first round of the 1981-82 UEFA Cup. Inter Milan, having secured the fourth spot in the Italian league, faced FC Porto, the champions of the Portuguese league.
The initial clash took place in Porto, and Inter Milan emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. Alessandro Altobelli and Giuseppe Baresi scored the crucial goals. The action then shifted to Milan for the second leg, where Inter Milan continued their winning streak with a 3-1 victory. Alessandro Altobelli, Evaristo Beccalossi, and Graziano Bini found the net for Inter, while Fernando Gomes scored one for FC Porto. With this triumph, Inter Milan advanced to the second round, eventually going on to clinch the UEFA Cup by defeating Anderlecht in the final.
Porto’s Triumph in the 2004 UEFA Champions League
In 2004, Inter Milan and FC Porto crossed paths once again, this time in the round of 16 of the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League. FC Porto, coming off a UEFA Cup victory the previous season, faced Inter Milan, who had secured the second spot in the Italian league.
The first leg unfolded in Milan, witnessing FC Porto’s triumph with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Benni McCarthy. The second leg in Porto brought more excitement as FC Porto secured a 3-2 victory with goals from Derlei, Benni McCarthy, and Carlos Alberto. Obafemi Martins and Luigi Di Biagio scored for Inter Milan, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the aggregate score. FC Porto advanced to the quarter-finals, eventually winning the UEFA Champions League by defeating Lyon. Under the guidance of José Mourinho, who would later join Inter Milan, FC Porto claimed the prestigious title by beating Monaco in the final.
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Inter Milan’s Historic Treble-Winning Season of 2011
In 2011, Inter Milan and FC Porto clashed for the fifth time, this occasion during the group stage of the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League. Inter Milan was basking in the glory of their treble-winning season, having secured victories in the Italian league, the Italian Cup, and the UEFA Champions League the previous year. Meanwhile, FC Porto had finished third in the Portuguese league.
The first match unfolded in Porto, where Inter Milan secured a 3-1 victory with goals from Esteban Cambiasso, Samuel Eto’o, and Wesley Sneijder. FC Porto managed to score through Guarin. The action then moved to Milan for the second match, where Inter Milan sealed another win with a scoreline of 2-1. Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto’o found the net for Inter, while Ruben Micael scored for FC Porto. With these victories, Inter Milan topped the group, while FC Porto finished third, subsequently moving to the UEFA Europa League, where they went on to claim the trophy.
The UEFA Champions League Return of 2013: FC Porto’s Unforgettable Comeback
In 2013, Inter Milan and FC Porto crossed paths once again, this time in the play-off round of the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League. FC Porto, fresh off their triumph in the Portuguese league the previous season, faced Inter Milan, who had landed in the ninth spot in the Italian league.
The first leg took place in Milan, witnessing FC Porto secure a 2-0 victory with goals from Lucho González and Jackson Martínez. The action then shifted to Porto for the second leg, where FC Porto continued their winning streak with a 3-1 victory. Jackson Martínez, Alex Sandro, and Ricardo Quaresma found the net for FC Porto, while Rodrigo Palacio scored for Inter Milan. FC Porto advanced to the group stage, finishing second and subsequently moving to the round of 16, where they faced Bayern Munich but unfortunately suffered a loss
UEFA Europa League Quarter Finals of 2020: A Showdown to Remember
In 2020, Inter Milan and FC Porto faced each other for the seventh and most recent time, this encounter taking place in the quarter-finals of the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League. The tournament underwent delays and reformatting due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the quarter-finals were played as single-leg matches in neutral venues in Germany. Inter Milan, securing the second spot in the Italian league, squared off against FC Porto, who had clinched both the Portuguese league and the Portuguese Cup.
The match unfolded in Düsseldorf, with Inter Milan emerging victorious with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez. This victory propelled Inter Milan to the semi-finals, where they faced Shakhtar Donetsk. Although they triumphed in the semi-finals, Inter Milan faced defeat in the final against Sevilla.
And that’s the latest chapter in the ongoing football saga between Inter Milan and FC Porto.
Conclusion
The rivalry between Inter Milan and FC Porto is like a captivating story with wins, losses, and unforgettable moments. Every time these football giants meet, it adds another exciting chapter to their history. Looking back on their past battles, you can’t help but be excited about what comes next in this ongoing saga. We eagerly await the drama, passion, and magic that define their rivalry. In the world of football, where every match contributes to a team’s legacy, the clashes between Inter Milan and FC Porto are a chapter that fans will revisit with awe and admiration.
