Final score

25 March 2004 21:00

Inter
25' (2nd half) Martins
19' (2nd half) Vieri
15' (2nd half) Recoba
46' Martins
Benfica
32' (2nd half) Tiago
22' (2nd half) Nuno Gomes
36' Nuno Gomez
Referee: Alain Sars / Linesmen: J.P. Chaudre, P. Reinbold / Fourth official: B. Layec
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
46' Half time. Inter 1-1 Benfica.
46' Superb goal by Inter. Karagounis dribbles three outfield opponents and the Benfica keeper then passes square to Martins who slots home from a yard out.
45' 1 minute of added time to play.
45' Vieri gets on the end of Karagounis' left-wing cross but is surrounded by two red shirts and can't get a shot in.
42' Okan is cautioned for protesting.
42' Oba Martins sprints on goal then slots through Moreira's legs. Sars disallows the goal for an apparent foul by the Nigerian as he was holding off a challenge from Luisao.
40' Nuno Gomes again. The former Fiorentina striker's close-range shot comes off the left-hand post.
39' Nuno Gomes again. The former Fiorentina striker sees a close-range shot come off the left-hand post.
39' Gamarra blocks Nuno Gomes' attempt from just inside our box.
38' Petit tackles Karagounis on the left wing and Inter win a corner.
36' Benfica take the lead through Nuno Gomes, who receives a short pass then turns Lamouchi before firing home into the left-hand corner.
35' Moreira comes off his line to beat Vieri to Okan's through ball.
34' Karagounis fouls Petit in midfield as both players fight for a loose ball. Free kick to the visitors.
32' Simao takes on Cordoba then from the left-wing by-line crosses into the middle, where Pereira blasts wide.
29' Okan is kicked by Sa Armando inside the Benfica box. No penalty given.
27' Sa Armando takes on Javier Zanetti and Okan then from just inside the box fires over the crossbar.
26' Cordoba's high ball over Benfica defence also goes over Martins and into the hands of Moreira.
25' The linesman flags for a Kily foul on Tiago. Alain Sars agrees and Benfica win a free kick five yards inside their own half. The ball is played into our box, where Adani heads clear.
23' Kily cuts out Petit's crossfield ball for Tiago and Inter work a move on the left wing. Martins goes past three players then is brought down by Tiago, who is promptly booked.
21' On the edge of our penalty area Cordoba heads clear to deny Simao a clear scoring chance.
20' Bobo wins a right-wing corner for Inter after his close-range, diagonal shot comes off Moreira.
20' Bobo frees himself of Luisao and from the edge of the Benfica box sends a left-footed shot wide.
19' The free kick played into the Nerazzurri penalty box comes off Gamarra and safely into the hands of Francesco Toldo.
18' Kily is intercepted by Miguel in midfield and Benfica come forward. A crossfield move by the Portuguese is abruptly ended after Okan fouls Sa Armando on the left.
16' In space 25 yards out Miguel mis-kicks his long-range shot.
14' Kily receives in midfield, storms past two opponents then passes forward to Bobo. The Inter number 32 plays square and Benfica play clear.
13' Javier Zanetti makes a good challenge on Simao on the left wing and the Nerazzurri come out of defence.
12' Nuno Gomes gets to the right-wing by-line then crosses into the area. Toldo collects.
11' Javier Zanetti runs past four players then plays forward to Martins, but the Nigerian striker is beaten to the ball.
9' Gamarra picks up the ball just outside the Benfica box. The Paraguay captain's shot is saved by Moreira.
7' Karagounis is back on and tries a shot from the distance which ricochets off Petit.
7' Zahovic receives on the edge of the box from Nuno Gomez then turns and sends his right-footed shot past the left-hand post.
6' Luisao boots the ball out of play as Giorgos Karagounis requires medical attention after landing awkwardly on his ankle.
4' Sa Armando beats Vieri to Okan's chested pass and heads away from danger.
3' A long ball from Petit finds Pereira on the right-hand side of our penalty area. The Portuguese forward shoots over the crossbar.
2' Free kick to us after Okan is fouled by Benfica captain Simao in midfield.
2' Giorgos Karagounis fools two opponents on the left then crosses into the box, where the visitors clear.
1' Welcome to the San Siro for live commentary of Inter v Benfica. Ref Alain Sars blows his whistle, and the Nerazzurri kick off. FORZA RAGAZZI!!!
1' Adani anticipates Nuno Gomes to a long ball forward and Benfica win an attacking throw-in on the right wing.
Minute Text commentary
49' Full time. Inter beat Benfica 4-3 and go through to the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
48' Inter break. Vieri runs 20 yards then sends a missile over the bar.
47' Sokota's glancing header from Tavarez' right-wing cross is off-target.
45' 4 minutes of added time to play.
45' Kily receives from Recoba on the left then sees his pass to Vieri intercepted.
41' Matias Almeyda makes his return to competitive action. Martins comes off.
41' Benfica bring on Geovanni for Petit.
40' Luisao plays clear from Brechet's left-wing cross.
39' Kily receives from Martins then sees his low shot well-saved by Moreira.
37' Toldo outjumps Sokota to catch Tavarez' right-wing cross.
36' Miguel anticipates Vieri to a forward pass.
35' Recoba is yellow-carded to kicking the ball out of play.
34' Sa Armando is booked for a horrendous foul on Martins on the right wing.
32' Benfica pull another goal back. Tiago blasts Sokota's back pass in off the right-hand post.
29' Benfica replace Pereira with Fernandes Tavarez.
29' Toldo catches Nuno Gomes' header at the far post.
27' Giorgos Karagounis is applauded as he makes way for Jeremie Brechet.
27' Toldo punches clear from danger to deny Nuno Gomes.
26' OBAGOL!!!!! Vieri plays wide to Recoba, who centres for Martins, who makes it a 4-2 with a shot into an open goal.
24' Cordoba is yellow-carded for a foul on Sa Armando.
22' Benfica pull one back. Nuno Gomes scores his second of the match, a shot from close-range after the Nerazzurri fail to deal with a left-wing cross.
21' The Meazza applauds a great piece of skill by Vieri in midfield, then Karagounis' diagonal strike takes a deflection and goes into the hands of Moreira.
20' Camacho brings on Sokota for Zahovic.
19' 3-1!!!!!! BOBOGOL. After good work by Recoba and Martins, Vieri finishes off a superb move by the Nerazzurri with a thunderous shot into the roof of the net.
18' Karagounis sidesteps his marker then passes square to Vieri, who sends a chipped shot just over the bar.
17' Benfica win two corners in quick succession. Toldo makes a good catch from the second left-wing cross.
15' GOOAAAALLLLL!!!! He's only been on the pitch a minute! Recoba receives just outside the box then sends a low drive in at the left-hand post.
15' Javier Zanetti plays a one-two with Kily then sees his left-wing cross go out of play.
14' Zac brings on Recoba for Okan.
13' Karagounis takes on one then sends a low drive wide of the far post.
12' Oba's cross-shot from the left goes over the crossbar.
12' Pereira is booked for protesting.
11' Kily's long-range strike has no power in it and Moreira makes an easy save.
10' Free kick to us 25 yards out after Karagounis is fouled by Miguel. Inter take it quickly and Lamouchi's long-range shot is punched clear by Moreira.
9' With Karagounis to his left, Vieri tries to take on two red shirts and is dispossessed.
7' Javier 'The Tractor' Zanetti storms past two opponents on the left then is fouled. Inter win a corner after the resulting free kick is deflected out of play.
7' Moreira comes off his line to deny Martins a scoring chance.
6' Okan chests down Karagounis' chipped pass into the Benfica box. Martins is anticipated.
5' Kily is sent flying by Petit in midifeld. Free kick to us.
3' Zahovic's curled free kick sails over the crossbar.
3' Free kick to Benfica 20 yards out after Kily fouls Zahovic.
2' Gamarra cuts out Pereira's right-wing cross and brings the ball out of defence.
1' Benfica get the second half underway.
1' Okan plays to Martins on the left. The Nigerian advances then is intercepted by Sa Armando.
Recoba
8.49
8.49
Vieri
7.26
7.26
Zanetti
7.26
7.26
Cordoba
6.19
6.19
Okan
6.65
6.65
Toldo
6.39
6.39
Almeyda
6.65
6.65
Gamarra
6.03
6.03
Adani
5.73
5.73
Martins
8.29
8.29
Lamouchi
5.22
5.22
Karagounis
8.52
8.52
Kily Gonzalez
6.26
6.26
Brechet
5.16
5.16
Average rating 6.72
6 shots on target 6
11 shots off target 9
0 fouls committed 0
0 corners 0
0 offsides 0
23:54 ball possession 26:43
Disciplinary situation

Inter

Suspended: Helveg, Kallon, Materazzi, C.Zanetti
Cautioned: -
Former players: Gamarra (13 appearances in Portuguese Serie A in 1997/98)

Benfica

Suspended: -
Cautioned: Armando, Ricardo Rocha
Former players: -

Josè Antonio Camacho

Born on 8 June 1955 in Cieza, current Benfica coach Josè Antonio Camacho enjoyed a long and successful career as a player. He came up through the youth ranks at Albacete then transferred to Castilla before joining Real Madrid, where he played from 1974 to 1989. Camacho made 414 appearances in the Spanish Liga, 81 for Spain (third behind Zubizarreta and Hierro for number of caps). He won 9 league titles, 4 domestic cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 Uefa/Fairs Cups. Camacho began his coaching career in the Real Madrid youth sector, then in 1990/91 became assistant coach to Di Stefano.
From 1991-93 he led Rayo Vallecano, then from 1993-96 coached Epanyol, where he returned in 1997/98 after a year-long stint at Seville. In 1998 he took over at Real Madrid but his mandate was short- lived due to irreconcilable differences with president Sanz.
From September 1998 until the end of the Korea/Japan World Cup Camacho coached Spain, then took up his current position at Benfica.

Zaccheroni v Camacho

The scoreless draw in the 2003/04 Uefa Cup fourth round first leg was the first ever meeting in official matches between the two coaches.

Inter v Benfica

The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their two official meetings with Benfica and have yet to let in a goal against the Portuguese outfit.

In detail:

1964/65 European Cup Inter-Benfica 1-0 ----
2003/04 Uefa Cup Inter-Benfica ---- 0-0

Inter v Portuguese teams

Inter have progressed three times and been knocked out twice in the five two-legged ties against Portuguese clubs. Considering all 12 matches played against teams from Portugal, including the 1963/64 European Cup win against Benfica and a Mundialito defeat to Porto, the Nerazzurri have won 6 times, drawn 3 (all 0-0) and lost 3. At home to Portuguese teams, the Nerazzurri have managed 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

In detail:

1964/65 European Cup Inter-Benfica 1-0 ----
1972/73 Uefa/Fairs Cup Inter-Vitoria Setubal 1-0 0-2
1986 Mundialito Inter-Porto 0-2 ----
1990/91 Uefa Cup Inter-Sporting Lisbon 2-0 0-0
1991/92 Uefa Cup Inter-Boavista 0-0 1-2
1996/97 Uefa Cup Inter-Boavista 5-1 2-0
2002/03 Champions League Inter-Sporting Lisbona 2-0 0-0
2003/04 Uefa Cup Inter-Benfica ---- 0-0

The referee: Alain Sars

Born in 1961, French referee Alain Sars has refereed the Nerazzurri on one previous occasion: the 4-1 victory at home to Ipswich (Vieri 15', 34', 72', Kallon 49', Armstrong 78') in the 2001/02 Uefa Cup. The third round return leg was Inter's 250th official match in European cup competitions. Besides Inter 4-1 Ipswich, Sars has refereed Italian clubs in Europe on six other occasions: Roma 3-0 Dynamo Moscow (1996/97 Uefa Cup), Rangers 1-1 Parma (1998/99 Uefa Cup), Atletico Madrid 2-1 Roma (1998/99 Uefa Cup), Widzew Lodz 0-2 Fiorentina (1999/00 Champions League preliminary), Lazio 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (2000/01 Champions League) and Parma 2-2 Monaco 1860 (2000/01 Uefa Cup). At international level, Sars took charge of the Azzurri's 2-0 victory over Switzerland in the Euro 2000 qualifying round.

Nerazzurri and 0-0 draws in first legs

A 0-0 draw in the first legs of European cup competition matches is often a good omen for the Nerazzurri, who have only been knocked out on two occasions: against Gothenburg in the 1986/87 Uefa Cup and in last season's Champions League semi-final (both 1-1 draws in the return legs). On the other seven occasions Inter have progressed after goalless draws from the first-leg matches: 1-0 against Everton in the 1963/64 European Cup, 3-0 against Etar Tirnovo in the 1974/85 Uefa Cup, 3-1 against Besiktas in the 1987/88 Uefa Cup, 2-0 against Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon in the 1990/91 Uefa Cup, 2-1 against Hertha Berlin in the 2000/01 Uefa Cup and 2-0 against Sporting Lisbon in last season's Champions League preliminary round.

No Nerazzurri Eurogoal for 209'

Inter haven't scored in Europe for 209 minutes, since Recoba's goal in the 61st minute of Sochaux 2-2 Inter on 26 February. Since then the Nerazzurri have failed to hit the target at home to the French side and away to Benfica.

Inter: no Eurowin in 7 matches

Inter haven't won a European game since 30 September when they beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1 at the San Siro. Since then the Nerazzurri have played 7 matches, registering 5 draws and 2 defeats, and thus beat the club's negative record set between 1974 and 1977 when they recorded three draws and three defeats in the two-legged ties against Amsterdam (1973/74 Uefa Cup), Honved (1976/77 Uefa Cup) and Dinamo Tbilisi (1977/78 Uefa Cup).

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(1) draws(0) defeats(0)
MILAN - Inter are through to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup and a two-legged tie with Olympique Marseille after a spectacular 4-3 victory over Benfica at the Giuseppe Meazza on Thursday evening.

Camacho's men enjoyed the run of play in the first period and capitalised on 36 minutes when Nuno Gomes received a short pass played to the edge of the penalty box then created space for himself before seeing his low shot go in off the left-hand post.

Oba Martins had a goal disallowed in the 42nd minute but in added time at the end of the first half slotted home from close range to end a superb move by Karagounis. The Greek wizard dribbled three outfield opponents and the goalkeeper before passing square to the Nigerian.

Alberto Zaccheroni brought Alvaro Recoba on for Okan Buruk in the 59th minute, and it took Il Chino less than sixty seconds to make his mark on the match when he found the bottom right-hand corner with a low, diagonal drive from the edge of the box. Four minutes later Vieri finished off a superb move involving Martins and Recoba with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net to make it 3-1.

Benfica rallied and Nuno Gomez added his second of the match with a close-range shot at the far post on 67 minutes, then Obafemi Martins increased Inter's lead, shooting into an open goal after the Benfica back line failed to deal with Recoba's left-wing cross.

The visitors weren't done and on 77 minutes Tiago latched on to a pass back from Sokota then from the distance slammed his shot in off the right-hand post to set up a dramatic finale. Inter held tight and could have scored a fifth in added time when Vieri fired over the bar after a run down the middle.

Match facts:

INTER 4-3 BENFICA (HT: 1-1, AGG. 4-3)

Scorers: Nuno Gomes 36', 67', Martins 46', 71', Recoba 60', Vieri 64', Tiago 77'

INTER: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 4 J. Zanetti, 8 Lamouchi, 15 Adani, 18 Kily Gonzalez, 19 Karagounis (31 Brechet 72'), 22 Okan (20 Recoba 59'), 24 Gamarra, 30 Martins (25 Almeyda 86'), 32 Vieri
Subs not used: 71 Cordaz, 7 van der Meyde, 9 Cruz, 14 Farinos,
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni

BENFICA: 1 Moreira, 2 Armando, 4 Luisao, 6 Petit (11 Geovanni 86'), 10 Zahovic (25 Sokota, 20 Simao, 21 Nuno Gomez, 23 Miguel, 30 Tiago, 33 Ricardo Rocha, 47 João Pereira (Manuel Fernades 74')
Subs not used: 24 Bossio, 5 Cristiano, 16 Aguiar, Helder, 37
Coach: Josè Antonio Camacho

Referee: Alain Sars

Booked: Tiago 23', Okan 42', Pereira 57', Cordoba 69', Armando 79', Recoba 80'

starting lineups

Toldo 1 Moreira
Cordoba 2 Armando
Zanetti 4 Luisao
Lamouchi 8 Petit
Adani 15 Zahovic
Kily Gonzalez 18 Simao
Karagounis 19 Nuno Gomes
Okan 22 Miguel
Gamarra 24 Tiago
Martins 30 Ricardo Rocha
Vieri 32 João Pereira

substitutes

Van Der Meyde 7 Bossio
Cruz 9 Cristiano
Farinos 14 Geovanni
Recoba 20 Aguiar
Almeyda 25 Sokota
Brechet 31 Helder
Manuel Fernades