Inter Milan 2-1 Hellas Verona: Late Frattesi goal snatches victory for Inter against ten-man Verona

Inter Milan substitute Davide Frattesi scored in injury time to give the Serie A leaders a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona, who missed a late penalty in a dramatic match on Saturday.

Inter now has a five-point lead over second-placed Juventus, who visit bottom club Salernitana on Sunday, claiming the title of Winter Champions under Simone Inzaghi.

Lautaro Martinez put Inter ahead early in the second half, but Thomas Henry equalized late in the half, only for Frattesi to put the hosts ahead again before Henry missed a last-gasp penalty.

Verona dropped into the relegation zone after the defeat, in 18th place with 14 points.

Martinez scored Inter's first goal in the 13th minute, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan's pass found him in the box ahead of defender Josh Doig, and he calmly shot low past goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo into the corner.

Martinez had missed the previous two games due to injury, and his 16th league goal in 17 games puts him well ahead in the Serie A scoring charts, with Domenico Berardi of Sassuolo the closest challenger on nine goals.

Martinez had the ball in the net three minutes after the break, but offside was called against Francesco Acerbi.

Instead, Verona equalized in the 74th minute when Henry, who had only been on the field for a minute, got a knee to Ondrej Duda's cross and beat keeper Yann Sommer.

Marko Arnautovic squandered two chances to restore Inter's lead, and it appeared that they would have to settle for a second consecutive draw.

However, Alessandro Bastoni's volley hit the crossbar in added time, and after Nicolo Barella's follow-up shot from distance was parried by Montipo, substitute Frattesi pounced to score in the 93rd minute.

Verona were reduced to ten men before the restart when Darko Lazovic was sent off for arguing with the referee, but the visitors still had a chance to equalize with a penalty.

A foul by Matteo Darmian gave Henry the chance to score his second goal, but a scuffed spot kick hit the post, and Inter held on for the win as Michael Folorunsho headed the rebound wide.

SportsLigue