In a stunning turn of events at San Siro, two-time defending champions Inter Milan were left reeling after being eliminated from the Italian Cup by Bologna in a nail-biting encounter that culminated in a 2-1 victory for the underdogs in extra time on Wednesday.

Bologna, last crowned cup champions in 1974, clinched a thrilling victory and secured a spot in the quarterfinals to face Fiorentina. The triumph against Inter marks a remarkable feat for the Tuscan team, having overcome second-division Parma in a penalty shootout the previous week. Follow your favourite football team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

The pivotal moment arrived in the 64th minute when Inter had a golden opportunity to take the lead courtesy of a penalty awarded for a handball by Bologna defender Tommaso Corazza. However, Inter’s leading Serie A goalscorer, Lautaro Martínez, failed to convert as his spot-kick was expertly denied by Bologna’s goalkeeper, Federico Ravaglia.

Martínez’s struggles from the penalty spot continued, with this miss marking his seventh failure out of 20 attempts from penalties for Inter this season, despite boasting an impressive tally of 15 goals in Serie A.

Inter managed to break the deadlock in the second minute of extra time, courtesy of Carlos Augusto’s header from a corner, raising hopes of a comeback. However, the joy was short-lived as Martínez limped off the field shortly after, adding to Inter’s woes. The Argentine forward, who had been receiving treatment on his left thigh during normal time, appeared visibly distraught as he covered his face while seated on the bench, hinting at potential injury concerns.

In a breathtaking turn of events, Bologna orchestrated a remarkable comeback in the dying moments of the game. Goals from Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye, both orchestrated by Joshua Zirkzee, sealed a sensational victory for Bologna, leaving Inter stunned and their title defense dreams shattered.

The dramatic contest witnessed twists and turns that showcased the unpredictability and sheer excitement of cup football, underscoring Bologna’s resilience and tenacity in securing a historic triumph against the reigning champions. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.