European roundup: Victories for Milan and Inter send Serie A race to final day

A double from Argentina striker Lautaro Martínez earned Internazionale a 3-1 win at Cagliari, a victory that ensured the Serie A title race will go to the final weekend.

With the leaders, Milan, having beaten Atalanta 2-0 at the San Siro earlier on Sunday, Inter had to win in Sardinia to keep the title race alive, edging in front in the 25th minute through Matteo Darmian. Martínez added a second six minutes after the break for Inter and they appeared on course for a comfortable ninth win in 10 matches in all competitions, before Charalampos Lykogiannis arrowed in a strike out of nowhere to get Cagliari back in it.

Inter suffered some nervy moments before Martinez’s quality shone through at the last, as his classy finish six minutes from time finally ended Cagliari’s hopes of a comeback. The victory ensured Inter remained two points behind Milan going into the final round. The champions must beat Sampdoria at home on Sunday, and hope Milan lose at Sassuolo, if they are to retain the Scudetto.

Milan closed in on their first Serie A title in 11 years with goals from Rafael Leão and Theo Hernández. But Stefano Pioli’s team looked nervy and devoid of ideas in the first half, failing to create a clear-cut chance in the entire opening 45 minutes.

Their quality shone through in the second half, however, as a fine finish from the in-form Brazilian forward Leão and a superb solo effort from the full-back Hernández saw Milan home, much to the relief of an expectant San Siro. Eighth-placed Atalanta, who are still hoping to qualify for Europe next season, rarely threatened.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Napoli made sure they will finish third, ahead of Juventus, after a 3-0 win over Genoa.

A late second-half header from Youssef En-Nesyri