UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Martinez hat-trick powers Inter to direct spot; AC Milan set for playoffs

Captain Lautaro Martinez netted a hat-trick to become Inter Milan’s most prolific scorer in the Champions League as it eased to a 3-0 victory over the 10 men of Monaco at the San Siro on Wednesday. The victory ensured Inter qualifies directly for the round of 16 with 19 points from its eight games, while Monaco will feature in the knockout playoffs having managed 13 points in the league phase. The home side started the game at a frenetic pace and was 2-0 up and a man to the good inside 16 minutes as Martinez struck a penalty and then supplied a low finish, before securing his hat-trick in the second half to take his career tally of Champions League goals to 17, three more than Adriano.

Monaco lost Christian Mawissa to a red card after 12 minutes as he committed a professional foul on Marcus Thuram to compound a night to forget for the visitor, which never managed to get a foothold in the contest. AC Milan will have to play in the Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs after missing out on an automatic last-16 spot with a 2-1 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb, whose victory on Wednesday was not enough for it to progress. A victory for Milan would have earned it a top-eight finish to qualify directly for the round of 16, but a first-half red card for defender Yunus Musah put it on the defensive.



The match sparked into life after 19 minutes when Milan defender Matteo Gabbia slipped on the ball, allowing Martin Baturina to steal possession and slot his finish past goalkeeper Mike Maignan from the edge of the box to give Dinamo the lead. Milan’s woes deepened six minutes before the break when Musah was shown a second yellow card and sent off for dragging down Luka Stojkovic just outside the penalty area. Milan found an equaliser when Christian Pulisic drilled a low shot past the goalkeeper at the near post in the 53rd minute.

Yet Marko Pjaca put the host back in front on the hour mark with an angled shot from close range. Milan finished 13th in the standings with 15 points while Zagreb fell just short, ending its campaign in 25th place with 11 points, one spot outside the playoff places. Comments Related stories Related Topics AC Milan / Inter Milan / Dinamo Zagreb / AS Monaco Latest on Sportstar.