It took six years for Inter Milan fans to see their team qualify for the UEFA Champions League. It wasn't easy. It was actually a miracle. The 'neroazzuris' came from behind in three minutes and won 3-2 against Lazio in the last match of the Serie A.
The match had reached the last fifteen minutes with Lazio leading 2-1, so the home team, who only needed a draw, already felt like a Champions League team.
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But the match changed dramatically in three minutes: in the 78th minute, Argentinean Mauro Icardi scored the temporary equalizer from a penalty kick, in the 79th minute, Bosnian Senad Lulic was sent off, and in the 81st minute, Uruguayan Matías Vecino scored the goal that secured Inter's spot in a European competition after six long years.
Inter qualifies for the Champions League after six years. (Photo: AP)
That goal unleashed celebration on the 'nerazzurro' side and left the home crowd stunned, as they didn't expect such a cruel outcome.
At the beginning of the match, an own goal by Croatian Ivan Perisic (9) allowed Lazio to open the scoring.
Danilo D'Ambrosio temporarily equalized for the 'nerazzurri' in the 29th minute with a two-touch shot inside the small box, taking advantage of a corner kick. D'Ambrosio shot on the second post, the goalkeeper repelled, but the rebound was seized by the Inter player himself, taking advantage of the mess in the area, to send it into the net.
Lazio regained the lead just before half-time, when in the 41st minute, Brazilian Felipe Anderson finished a counterattack with a low shot from outside the box, crossing the goal almost from the front.
The home team maintained that advantage until Icardi's penalty kick and Vecino's header, which not only decided the match but also secured their ticket to the Champions League.
Icardi also scored his 29th goal this season in the Italian league and finished the season tied at the top with Ciro Immobile (Lazio).
El Comercio/AFP