The Rossoneri had reached this competition stage after a slim 2-1 aggregate win against Serie A leaders Napoli.
Inter, on their part, qualified with a 5-3 aggregate win against an inform Benfica side that only lost one game this season before their meeting.
This is a good response for Simone Inzaghi’s men, who have not been impressive in the domestic league as they are currently fifth on the log, seven points behind Roma, occupying the final automatic Champions League slot with eight games to go.
The Nerazurri went into the return leg on the back of a 2-0 win in Portugal in the first leg before playing a six-goal thriller at the San Siro on Wednesday night.
After Lautaro Martinez over-hit a pass that would’ve sent Federico Dimarco clear, Inter broke the deadlock with a well-worked move.
Edin Dzeko won a midfield battle against Otamendi, and Martinez flicked it on for Barella, who rode a tackle, cut inside and curled a magnificent left-foot finish into the far top corner.
With more mountains to climb due to the goal, the visitors tested Andre Onana in 31 minutes with a long-range Chiquinho free kick.
Inter thought they had doubled their tally when Martinez scored, but his goal was disallowed for a slight nudge on Gilberto’s back before his header.
Benfica eventually restored parity when a Rafa Silva cross came in from the right, and Fredrik Aursnes scored with a powerful header.
Inter restored the lead in the second half as Dimarco completed a give-and-go with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and rolled across the six-yard box, and Martinez stroked into the roof of the net from four yards to end his goal drought in nine games.
Substitute Tucu Correa also ended his goal drought since October within minutes of coming off the bench, curling in a right-foot stunner off the inside of the far post to give Inter a 5-1 aggregate lead.
But Benfica later reduced the deficit through Antonio Silva with a looping header on the Grimaldo free kick.
They level matters in stoppages as Petar Musa drilled in after a Grimaldo corner with practically the last kick of the game.
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