Martinez, Augusto extend Inter's winning Europe run
Inter maintained its perfect start to their Champions League campaign with a clinical 2-1 victory over Kairat Almaty.
The host started on the front foot at San Siro and nearly went ahead 10 minutes in when Federico Dimarco stung Temirlan Anarbekov’s palms before Lautaro Martinez volleyed over off the rebound.
Inter continued to knock on the door as Martinez fizzed a shot inches over the bar before they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Yann Bisseck, though the decision was overturned afrer a VAR review.
Martinez eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, turning in scrappily at the near post after Inter saw a series of close-range efforts blocked.
Kairat, though, kept pushing and drew level 10 minutes after the restart as Ofri Arad nodded home after a bout of pinball inside the box, marking the first goal Inter has conceded in Europe this season.
Despite an admirable showing, the Kazakh side could not hold onto the result for long as Carlos Augusto restored the host's lead with a brilliant first-time strike from range in the 67th minute.
Kairat never had a way back from there as Inter comfortably closed out the win, despite Marcus Thuram squandering a golden chance late on.
The result keeps Inter level on 12 points with Bayern Munich and Arsenal, sitting third on goal difference, while Kairat remains winless in 34th place.
