Serie A: Mauro Icardi hat trick decides a five goal thriller

Inter Milan’s unbeaten start to the season continued with a 3-2win over rivals Milan on Sunday. Mauro Icardi scored a hattrick, including a late penalty in what was an exciting Derby della Madonnina.

Inter, who were the home side, dominated the first half and deservedly went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Icardi superbly slotted home following a brilliant cross by Antonio Candreva on the right wing.

But it was a different Milan side after the break, as they began to ask questions of Inter. Their dominance paid off when they finally equalised, as Suso leveled up the score with a beautiful left footed curler from outside the box.

However, moments after the hour mark, Icardi restored the home side’s lead, after a superb improvisation saw him beat Gianluigi Donnarumma for the second time, following a lovely play and cross by Ivan Perisic.

For the second time in the game, Milan would equalise again, but this time it was courtesy of a Samir Handanovic own goal with nine minutes left to play. The Inter goalkeeper failed to deal properly with an effort from Giacomo Bonaventura,whose outstretched leg directed a loose ball to goal, only for Handanovic’s knee to knock the ball into his own net after initially saving the shot.

With the game heading to another draw, Inter were awarded a penalty, as Ricardo Rodriguez went from hero to zero in quick succession. The Swiss international had superbly stopped an Eder effort with a timely block, before unnecessarily pulling an Inter player in the box, with the referee wasting no time to point to the spot.

Icardi stepped up to the plate to calmly convert from the spot, completing his hattrick and a dramatic win for Inter. The win sees Inter move up to second on the league table, ten point ahead of rivals Milan, and two behind league leaders, Napoli.

Photo Credit: @Inter_en