Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s penalty secured Inter Milan a crucial 1-0 victory over Arsenal in their UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday night at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan.
The Turkish midfielder converted the spot-kick after the ball struck Merino’s hand during first-half stoppage time.
With composure, Çalhanoğlu placed his shot down the middle, wrong-footing Arsenal’s David Raya after a VAR check confirmed the handball.
The Nerazzurri looked strong from the outset, pushing for an early lead.
Wing-back Dumfries came close just two minutes in, hitting the crossbar after a precise pass from Zielinski.
Inter nearly scored again when Çalhanoğlu’s long-range effort narrowly missed Raya’s post.
Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was tested as well, stopping a near-post shot from Saka.
In the 59th minute, Sommer made another crucial save, stretching to keep out Havertz’s shot and deflecting it out for a corner.
