Lautaro, wonder strike. Then Dumfries and Thuram: three goals against Empoli

A crucial win. Inter’s 3-1 win over Empoli came entirely in the second half after a tightly contested first half. Lautaro Martinez, captain and talisman, opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 55th minute: a right-footed curling shot which found its way into the top corner. A beautiful goal which changed the momentum of the match, making the second half full of opportunities.

Dumfries doubled the scoring in the 79th minute with a powerful header which seemingly sealed the match at 2-0. However, Empoli pulled one back in the 84th minute with a goal from Sebastiano Esposito. Any need to be worried? No, because Inter sealed the win in the 89th minute with a quick attack culminating in Arnautovic setting up Thuram. 3-1 and Inter climb to a total of 47 points, with 20 matches played.

INTER 3-1 EMPOLI | LIVE TABLE

SCORERS: 55' Lautaro Martinez (I), 79' Dumfries (I), 84' Esposito (E), 89' Thuram (I) INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard, 6 De Vrij, 30 Carlos Augusto; 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella, 21 Asllani, 7 Zielinski (69' Mkhitaryan), 32 Dimarco; 99 Taremi (69' Thuram), 10 Lautaro. Substitutes: 13 J. Martinez, 40 Calligaris, 8 Arnautovic, 15 Acerbi, 16 Frattesi, 17 Buchanan, 36 Darmian, 42 Palacios, 49 De Pieri, 53 Topalovic, 95 Bastoni. Coach: Massimiliano Farris.

EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): 23 Vasquez; 22 De Sciglio (66' 2 Goglichidze), 34 Ismajli, 21 Viti; 11 Gyasi, 5 Grassi, (73' 6 Henderson), 93 Maleh, 3 Pezzella 3 Pezzella (83' 27 Zurkowski); 10 Fazzini (66' 99 Esposito), 13 Cacace (83' 7 Sambia); 29 Colombo. Subsitutes: 1 Perisan, 12 Seghetti, 31 Tosto, 35 Marianucci, 41 Asmussen, 90 Konate. Coach: Roberto D'Aversa.

Stoppage time: 2' - Note: Booked: R. D'Aversa (E) Referee: Feliciani. Assistants: Di Iorio, Zingarelli. Fourth Official: Tremolada. VAR: Guida. Assistente VAR: Di Paolo.