The opening 30 minutes of Wednesday's first leg saw Feyenoord create more of the goal-scoring opportunities as the visitors failed to gel in attack. However, Inter drew first blood with Thuram breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute from their first big opportunity. Nicolo Barella floated an inch-perfect cross to the back post where Thuram was unmarked to volley the ball into the top corner from close range.
The Serie A giants then doubled their lead just five minutes into the second half. Piotr Zielinski's attempted shot was blocked by Jakub Moder in the box, but Martinez pounced on the second ball and found the roof of the net. Inter then had a golden opportunity to double their advantage from the spot after Thuram was brought down inside the Feyenoord box. Zielinski took the spot-kick but his weak strike was comfortably parried away by Timon Wellenreuther.
Despite never getting out of second gear in Rotterdam, Inter got the job courtesy of some clinical finishes from their star forwards Thuram and Martinez. They will be much more relaxed ahead of the second leg at San Siro next week.