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Football

21st Oct 2018

Mauro Icardi sparks incredible scenes with last-gasp winner in Milan derby

Mauro Icardi's late header was the only thing to separate Inter from their city rivals AC Milan in a tense derby on Sunday night

Reuben Pinder

S C E N E S

As is so often the case when Inter Milan play, Mauro Icardi proved decisive in securing all three points for the Nerazzurri tonight.

Inter’s captain and talisman popped up with the crucial header in injury time to beat their city rivals AC Milan 1-0 in Sunday night’s hotly anticipated derby.

The game was locked level throughout, with Inter having the larger share of possession but Milan still managing to take 15 shots at their goal. But ultimately, Inter’s extra quality shone through, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the dying moments of the game, sparking incredible scenes at the San Siro.

Matías Vecino’s excellent whipped cross from the right caused havoc in the Milan penalty area, as Gianluigi Donnarumma misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Icardi to head the ball into an empty net.

And just look what it meant to the Inter players, and of course the fans.

Luciano Spalletti’s side are on a resurgence this season, having reached the Champions League for the first time since 2011/12.

This derby win puts them in third in Serie A, just two points behind Napoli and six behind Juventus, whose 100% record came to an end this weekend as they drew to Genoa.

Icardi, though, has recently been subject to transfer speculation, as Real Madrid are rumoured to be preparing a player plus cash offer for the striker in January.

It is unlikely that he will leave though, as he has repeatedly asserted just how much playing for Inter means to him and how much he loves the city. From the celebrations tonight, it is evident that he’s not lying.