Juventus 1-1 Inter Milan: Lukaku rescues draw in Coppa Italia semi

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Romelu Lukaku was at the centre of late drama
Romelu Lukaku was at the centre of late drama

Romelu Lukaku scored a last-gasp penalty before being sent off as Inter Milan snatched a 1-1 draw at Juventus in a fiery Coppa Italia semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Loan forward Lukaku restored parity for Inter deep into stoppage time at Allianz Stadium after Bremer was adjudged to have handled inside his area, before the goalscorer was dismissed for an altercation with Juan Cuadrado.

Cuadrado, who earlier thought he had won the game with his 83rd-minute strike, also saw red after the final whistle along with Inter captain Samir Handanovic following a clash between the pair.

The manic conclusion leaves the tie delicately poised as Inter return home on April 26 looking to reach the final and exact revenge for being on the wrong end of a Derby d'Italia double in Serie A this season.

Cup holders Inter were fortunate not to fall behind after four minutes as Handanovic produced an expert stop to deny a fizzing Angel Di Maria drive.

Mattia Perin provided an equally impressive save when unsighted to thwart a fierce Marcelo Brozovic attempt, as both sides went without first-half reward.

The contest remained bereft of clinical finishing after the break, Dusan Vlahovic heading over from Nicolo Fagioli's cross before Henrikh Mkhitaryan dragged just wide.

A low Cuadrado drive through a sea of bodies edged Juve in front, only for Bremer's handball to allow Inter a late leveller as Lukaku rolled his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner.

Chaos descended following that goal as Lukaku was dismissed for his celebrations in front of Cuadrado, who was then given his marching orders along with Handanovic after a full-time confrontation between the pair in the centre-circle.

What does it mean? Inter halt Juve's impressive run

Massimiliano Allegri's side had won five games in a row in all competitions heading into this clash, while Inter had lost three straight Serie A matches amid a torrid run.

But the Bianconeri offered relatively little before scoring, then allowed Inter to battle back and tee up a one-legged shoot-out for a place in the Coppa Italia showpiece.

Despite Juve making the Europa League quarter-finals and Inter reaching the Champions League last eight, there will be plenty of focus on another likely fiery affair.

Cuadrado continues to enjoy Inter task

Cuadrado may have been dismissed for an inexplicable late tussle with Handanovic, but the Juve right-back has enjoyed facing Inter.

The veteran has scored more goals for Juventus against Inter than any other side (four), while three of the Bianconeri's last seven home strikes against the Nerazzurri have come from Cuadrado.

Handanovic milestone marred by late carnage

Handanovic became only the second goalkeeper in Inter's history to reach 450 appearances for the club – after Walter Zenga (473).

But the captain's late scuffle with Cuadrado marred a landmark outing, with first-choice keeper Andre Onana primed to return as Handanovic prepares to serve a suspension.

What's next?

Juve visit Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, while Inter travel to Salernitana a day earlier.

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