Inter overcame Cagliari’s three goals to one in the Unipol Domus due to Darmian’s headed goal and two goals from Martinez.
The Argentina international appeared to seal the victory with a wonderfully taken goal eight minutes after the restart.
Nonetheless, Lykogiannis’ amazing long-range strike 120 seconds later would make for a tense end.
While behind by a single goal, the Rossoblu failed to capitalise on the few half-chances they had, and their lack of clinical finishing would come back to haunt them.
With six minutes remaining, Martinez’s second goal of the game, scored on the counter-attack, ensured the Nerazzurri’s victory.
The win puts Inter two points back of Milan with one game left, while Cagliari stays in 18th.
Starting lineup:
CAGLIARI XI (3-5-2): Alessio Cragno; Dalbert, Giorgio Altare, Luca Ceppitelli; Charalampos Lykogiannis, Marko Rog, Alberto Grassi, Razvan Marin, Raoul Bellanova; Joao Pedro, Leonardo Pavoletti.
INTER XI (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Matteo Darmian, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic; Edin Dzkeo, Lautaro Martinez.
Goals:
INTER TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Perisic drives towards the byline and curls a lovely cross to the far post for Darmian, who rises high above Lykogiannis to head it back across Cragno and beat the goalkeeper.
MARTINEZ DOUBLES INTER’S ADVANTAGE! 2-0! Barella launched a long pass over the top of the defence for the striker, who beats Altare for pace and power before slotting a finish into the far corner.
OUT OF NOWHERE – CAGLIARI MAKES IT 2-1! This is turning into a bit of a mad match as Cagliari go up the other end of the pitch through Bellanova, who passes it to the left for Rog. Rog finds Lykogiannis and the full-back steps up to hammer home a shot from a distance.
INTER GO TWO GOALS AHEAD! 3-1! Gagliardini somewhat surprisingly leads Inter on a quick counter-attack, drawing three defenders towards him before slipping a selfless pass across the face of the goal for Martinez. The striker meets the pass with a lovely scooped finish, sending it up and over a sprawling Cragno.
So, what’s next?
Cagliari finishes their season away from home against Venezia while Inter welcomes Sampdoria to the Giuseppe Meazza.
