Youth League: Inter beat FC Köln in injury time and advance to the Round of 16
Youth Sector
— Feb 4th 2026An incredible win for Benito Carbone's side, who bagged two late goals in the 96th and 98th minute through Zarate and Kukulis
Inter U20 booked their place in the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 with a deserved 3-1 away win over FC Köln at the Stadion Köln.
After a balanced, goalless first half, the Nerazzurri stepped up after the break and took the lead in the 49th minute, with Bovio heading home Marello's free-kick. Inter pushed for a second and came close through Vukoje, who struck the crossbar, but Cologne equalised in the 80th minutes with a nicely-worked goal from Schenten.
The closing stages belonged to Inter. In stoppage time, Zarate restored the lead with a composed finish inside the box, and moments later Kukulis sealed the win by rolling into an empty net from distance as FC Köln pushed everyone forward.
Carbone's side will play the Round of 16 tie on 24/25 February. The draw for the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on Friday 6 February at 13:00 CET.
FC KÖLN 1-3 INTER | SCORESHEET
Goalscorers: 49' Bovio (I), 80' Schenten (C), 96' Zarate (I), 98' Kukulis (I). FC KÖLN (4-3-3): 12 Marutzki; 2 Fürst, 4 Stapelmann, 5 Kotya-Fofana (19 Karadeniz 77'), 3 Friemel; 8 Harchaoui, 6 Irmiev (20 Römers 69'), 10 Ley (14 Puzzo 60'); 7 Ponente-Ramirez (15 Völp 60'), 11 Niang (17 Afri Akumu 60'), 9 Schenten. Substitutes: 23 Schimtz, 13 Markoski, 16 Zimmermann, 21 Güzel. Coach: Stefan Ruthenbeck
INTER (4-3-3): 1 Taho; 2 Ballo, 6 Garonetti (13 Nenna 77'), 5 Bovio, 3 Marello; 8 Venturini (18 Zarate 69'), 4 Cerpelletti, 11 Mancuso (17 Vukoje 77'); 10 Mosconi (20 Kukulis 87'), 9 Iddrissou, 7 Zouin (19 El Mahboubi 69'). Substitutes: 12 Farronato, 14 Mackiewicz, 15 Williamson, 16 La Torre. Coach: Benito Carbone
Booked: Zarate (I). Referee: Stefan Ebner Assistants: Gutschi-Kaplan Fourth Official: Schwengers