BREAKING: Lukaku sends Inter into Europa semi-finals, breaks record

Romelu Lukaku scores as Inter Milan defeats Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in Monday’s Europa League quarter-final in Dusseldorf, becoming the first team through to the semi finals.

Three-time former winners Inter struck first through Nicolo Barella as he guided in from the edge of the area on 15 minutes, with Lukaku bundling in a second six minutes later, AFP reports.

Kai Havertz reduced the deficit in possibly his final game for Leverkusen with a well-worked goal on 25 minutes after exchanging passes with fellow Germany international Kevin Volland, but Inter held on to seal their place in the semi-finals.

Antonio Conte’s side will take on Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk or Swiss club Basel next Monday in Dusseldorf for a place in the final on August 21.

Romelu Lukaku set a new record by scoring in his ninth consecutive Europa League match during Inter’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Monday evening.

The former Manchester United striker equalled Alan Shearer’s record which has stood since 2005 by scoring in Inter’s 2-0 win over Getafe last Wednesday.

In doing so he became the player to score in nine successive Europa League or UEFA Cup matches, breaking the record of eight he previously shared with Newcastle’s Shearer.

He is also the first player to score in six successive European matches for Inter.