Inter overturn Fiorentina in the closing minutes

Inter beat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday, completing a dramatic comeback in Serie A. Alex Jiménez put the visitors ahead before Thuram equalised and Zielinski converted the winning penalty. The match accounts differ on the precise minutes of Inter’s goals: the goal listing places them at 90+1 and 80+7, while the match narrative gives the 90th and 97th minutes. Jiménez is credited with a 65th-minute goal in the listing and a 66th-minute strike in the detailed account.

The match began at a subdued pace. Inter looked short of sharpness after its Champions League match against Shakhtar and struggled to build speed or precision. Fiorentina stayed compact and looked to break quickly. Inter’s crosses from wide areas gradually troubled the visiting defence, but its pressure had yet to bring a goal.

In the 35th minute, Thuram beat several defenders before sending a shot across goal from inside the box. David De Gea saved it. The goalkeeper made further interventions before the break, stopping Marcus Thuram twice and Pio Esposito once. With Lautaro missing through injury for a third consecutive match, Esposito started alongside Thuram. Cristian Chivu also rested Dimarco and fielded Mkhitaryan with Calhanoglu and Barella in midfield. For Fiorentina, Mastantuono started on the right wing, with De Gea, Álex Jiménez and Valdepeñas in the starting line-up.

Inter came back looking to build on its momentum, but Pongracic had to be replaced by Viery through injury. Chivu later brought on Bonny for Esposito. Jiménez, returning to Milan, stunned the home side with a powerful long-range strike. It was the fifth goal contribution generated by the academy graduate since joining Fiorentina and briefly rewarded the visitors’ defensive approach. Inter responded by committing more players forward: Carlos Augusto hit the crossbar twice from Calhanoglu set pieces, while Inter appealed for a penalty after Viery’s challenge on Thuram.

Thuram, Inter’s main attacking threat, eventually drew his side level. A subsequent pull on him in the penalty area gave Zielinski the chance to finish, which he did with a strike into the top corner. Fiorentina, after holding firm for much of the contest, saw a win slip away. Inter remain unbeaten in Serie A and prevent Lazio from taking sole possession of top spot.