Late goals keep Inter in control of Serie title race

Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrate after their Serie A match against Lecce — Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy — Feb. 21, 2026. (Reuters)

• Inter made the breakthrough in the 75th minute
• Akanji wrapped up the victory seven minutes later

LECCE, Italy: Late strikes from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji sealed a 2-0 victory for Inter Milan at Lecce on Saturday to keep them firmly in control of the Serie A title race. Inter lead with 64 points, 10 ahead ⁠of AC Milan ⁠and 14 clear of Napoli in third.
A cutback from the byline in the 51st minute picked out Federico Dimarco on ⁠the edge of the box and he drilled a low shot into the corner, but the celebrations were brief as Marcus Thuram had strayed offside in the build-up.
Inter made the breakthrough in the 75th minute when ⁠Mkhitaryan ⁠slipped free inside the area and guided a composed half-volley into the net from close range after a corner was only partially cleared.
Akanji wrapped up the victory seven minutes later, powering a header into the top corner.