Inter slumped to a 5-4 defeat to Fiorentina in a
remarkable Serie A encounter at Stadio Artemio
Franchi.
Three goals in the space of eight second-half
minutes - plus a 79th-minute effort from Khouma
Babacar - looked to have wrapped up the points for
Fiorentina, but two late goals from Icardi set-up a
grandstand finish in an incredible clash.
Having initially come from a goal behind thanks
to strikes from Ivan Perisic and Icardi, Stefano
Pioli's Inter looked in good shape heading into the
second half.
However, despite Federico Bernardeschi
squandering an opportunity from the penalty spot,
Fiorentina - who had taken a 23rd-minute lead
courtesy of Matias Vecino's first goal of the season
- blitzed their way through Inter's ramshackle
defence midway through a thrilling second period.
Samir Handanovic had made a string of fine saves
prior to the 62nd minute, but his untimely
slip allowed Davide Astori to level matters with a
looping header before Vecino netted his second
and Babacar got in on the act with two brilliantly-
taken goals.
Icardi's goals either side of the 90-minute mark
applied the pressure late on, but Fiorentina
ultimately held firm to secure a famous
victory, moving to within a point of seventh-placed
Inter in the process.
Inter started well - both Perisic and
Icardi testing Ciprian Tatarusanu from acute
angles before Borja Valero and Babacar forced
Handanovic into action at the other end.
Handanovic could do nothing to prevent
Fiorentina's opener, though, as Vecino thumped in
an emphatic first-time finish after connecting
with Hrvoje Milic's low cross.
Fiorentina's lead was short-lived though, as
Perisic restored parity at the culmination of a free-
flowing counter.
Perisic sent Antonio Candreva free down the right,
and the former Lazio winger made no mistake in
picking out the Croatia forward, who duly tucked
home from close range.
Inter were ahead six minutes later - Icardi brushing
aside Carlos Sanchez before dispatching a low
finish into the left corner.
Handanovic had to be at his best once more on the
stroke of half-time, reacting superbly to spare
Miranda's blushes, and Inter's goalkeeper was the
hero again after the interval.
Danilo D'Ambrosio was harshly adjudged to have
brought down Babacar in the area, but justice was
done when Bernardeschi drilled the resulting
penalty straight at Handanovic.
Fiorentina were level soon after, however,
as Handanovic's slip prevented him from keeping
out Astori's header.
Fiorentina were looking rampant, and had their
third a minute later when Vecino slotted home from
the edge of the area at the end of a superb run.
Inter's shocking second-half display was made
worse moments later, Babacar adding a fourth with
a wonderfully disguised finish into the bottom-right
corner and then nudging home his second of the
match nine minutes later.
And despite Fiorentina's three-goal cushion,
Babacar's second goal ultimately proved decisive,
after Icardi tucked in Perisic's cross before bringing
up his hat-trick with a powerful header in stoppage
time.
There was to be more drama, though, as - in the
final minute of stoppage time - Astori
hooked Marcelo Brozovic's strike off the line to
preserve the three points.
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