Inter Milan left it late but delivered a dramatic finish at San Siro on Sunday, scoring twice in stoppage time to defeat Fiorentina 2-1 and secure a crucial Serie A victory.
Fiorentina appeared on course for a memorable away win after Alex Jimenez gave them the lead in the second half. However, Marcus Thuram restored parity before Piotr Zieliński converted a late penalty to complete Inter’s comeback and send the home supporters into celebration.
Inter dominated large portions of the encounter but initially struggled to turn their possession and attacking pressure into goals. Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea proved difficult to beat, producing a series of important saves to frustrate the hosts.
Thuram was among the players who found opportunities difficult to convert, with De Gea denying the French forward from close range. Francesco Pio Esposito also threatened with a header, but the Fiorentina goalkeeper reacted well to keep the effort out.
Inter continued to press as the match developed, creating opportunities but lacking the finishing touch required to break the deadlock. Their frustration increased when De Gea produced another impressive intervention to deny Thuram after the forward found space in the attacking third.
Against the run of play, Fiorentina struck in the 65th minute through Jimenez, who produced a spectacular long-range finish to put the visitors ahead. The former AC Milan defender caught Inter’s goalkeeper by surprise, sending the ball into the net and leaving the home side facing an unexpected setback.
The goal changed the atmosphere inside San Siro, with Fiorentina suddenly having a valuable lead to protect. Inter responded by increasing the intensity of their attacks, committing more players forward in search of an equaliser.
Carlos Augusto came agonisingly close to finding the net during Inter’s late pressure, striking the crossbar on two occasions as Fiorentina struggled to contain the hosts. Those efforts underlined how close Inter were to rescuing the contest, while the visitors continued to rely on their goalkeeper and defensive organisation.
Fiorentina also threatened to punish Inter on the counterattack, with Wilfried Gnonto forcing an intervention from the home goalkeeper as the visitors searched for a second goal that could have settled the contest.
With time running out, Inter refused to surrender. Their persistence finally paid off in the 90th minute when Thuram scored the equaliser, finishing into the bottom corner after being set up by Andy Diouf.
The goal transformed the contest, giving Inter renewed belief that they could complete the turnaround. Fiorentina, who had defended their advantage for much of the second half, suddenly found themselves under immense pressure.
Inter’s late surge produced another decisive moment when Thuram went down under a challenge from Victor Valdepenas inside the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, presenting the hosts with an opportunity to complete a remarkable comeback.
Zieliński stepped up in the 90+8th minute and calmly converted from the spot, sending the ball into the net to give Inter a dramatic 2-1 lead.
The late winner completed a remarkable turnaround for Inter, who had spent much of the match chasing an equaliser before finding the breakthrough in the closing stages. For Fiorentina, the defeat was particularly painful after holding the advantage until the final minutes.
Inter will take confidence from their resilience, although their inability to convert earlier opportunities will remain a concern. Against stronger opponents, leaving a comeback until stoppage time could prove costly.
The victory kept Inter level with Lazio at the top of the Serie A standings, with both sides sitting on 32 points, while Fiorentina remained in the relegation zone with just four points.
With the Milan derby approaching, Inter will hope their late fightback provides the momentum needed for another important test in their pursuit of the Serie A title.
