Lautaro Martinez double rescues Inter Milan in thrilling draw at Roma

Lautaro Martinez scored twice in the second half as defending champions Inter Milan recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Roma, ending their 100% start to the Serie A season.

Roma had taken the lead inside six minutes, matching Inter’s tally of 13 goals for the campaign with their early strike. It was the third consecutive match in which Cristian Chivu’s side had fallen behind, having conceded five goals across their previous two games.

Paulo Dybala’s lofted delivery was headed back across the box by Nahuel Molina, allowing Manu Kone to arrive unmarked and finish from close range.

Dybala then sent a long-range effort narrowly wide as Roma attempted to extend their advantage. Inter gradually found their rhythm, with Yann Bisseck driving into the penalty area before his opportunity was cut out by the advancing Mile Svilar.

The visitors continued to apply pressure. Lautaro Martinez slid towards Federico Dimarco’s inviting cross but could not make the required contact, while Curtis Jones produced a clever flick to release Alessandro Bastoni, who struck the outside of the post from a narrow angle.

Those missed chances proved costly before half-time. Kone reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to score his second, with Gianluca Mancini’s role in the build-up surviving a VAR review for offside.

Roma had conceded only one league goal in their first four and a half matches, but Inter reduced the deficit just seconds after the restart. Marcus Thuram’s cutback reached Martinez, who swept the ball into the net via his shin.

Substitutions from both teams interrupted the flow of the contest, although the result remained undecided entering the final 15 minutes.

Donyell Malen, who has made an impressive start since joining Roma and is the league’s leading scorer, came close to restoring the hosts’ two-goal cushion. After turning inside the area, he struck the ball directly at Josep Martinez, who made the save with his face.

Inter completed their comeback with 11 minutes remaining. Thuram’s initial header following a scramble in the box was saved by Svilar, but the ball fell to Martinez and bounced off the crossbar.

When Roma failed to clear the danger fully, Martinez controlled the ball with his thigh before volleying emphatically past Svilar to complete his brace.

The equaliser set up a tense finish, but Thuram could only steer a late side-footed effort agonisingly wide as Inter were unable to complete the turnaround.

The draw ended Inter’s run of nine successive league victories stretching back to last season. Roma also fell short of matching a club record of 11 straight league wins, but extended their unbeaten run at the Stadio Olimpico to 15 matches, comprising 11 wins and four draws.

Roma remain level on points with undefeated Scudetto holders Inter, who lead only on goal difference at this early stage.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)