Lautaro Martínez's double rescues Inter in 2-2 draw at Roma

Roma lined up in a 3-4-2-1 while Inter adopted a 3-1-4-2. The hosts seized control early, enjoying 52% possession and generating 1.25 xG to Inter's 0.88. Manu Koné opened the scoring in the sixth minute, converting a right-footed finish after a pass from Nahuel Molina. The French midfielder doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, this time with his left foot following a Gianluca Mancini assist. Roma's first-half dominance was reflected in 11 shots to Inter's three, three shots on target to one, and three big chances created against two for the visitors. The home side also completed 217 passes at 85% accuracy and carried the ball into the opposition half 119 times, while Inter managed 202 passes at 86% and 88 opposition-half entries.

The interval brought a shift in momentum. Inter raised their possession to 54% and produced 1.49 xG in the second half, compared with Roma's 0.43. The equaliser arrived seconds after the restart: a rapid counter‑attack saw Marcus Thuram feed Lautaro Martínez, who slotted a left‑footed finish past the Roma keeper. The Argentine striker completed his brace in the 79th minute, rising above the defence to head home a right‑footed effort from a Yann Aurel Bisseck corner. Inter's second-half pressure yielded 13 shots, four on target, and three big chances, while Roma managed only seven shots and a single effort on target. Inter completed 205 passes at 86% accuracy and entered the opposition half 102 times; Roma's numbers dropped to 173 passes at 83% and 116 opposition-half entries. Fouls told a story of frustration: Roma committed ten in the second half after just three in the first, while Inter's count fell from five to two.

Set‑piece efficiency proved pivotal. Inter's set‑play xG of 1.34 dwarfed Roma's 0.19, and the visitors' second goal originated from a corner routine. Roma's early goals came from open play, where they held a 1.49–1.02 xG edge, but their inability to sustain pressure after the break allowed Inter to dictate the latter stages. Lautaro Martínez led the individual numbers with two goals and 1.48 xG, while Koné matched him with two goals but a lower 0.51 xG. Paulo Dybala added 0.18 xG for Roma, while Donyell Malen (0.33 xG) and Marcus Thuram (0.28 xG) contributed to Inter's attacking threat. The duel between the two scorers encapsulated the match's narrative: early Roma incision versus late Inter composure.