Fiorentina 1-2 Inter Milan – Lautaro Martinez scores double as the Nerazzurri defend Coppa Italia

Lautaro Martinez inspired an Inter Milan comeback in the Coppa Italia final as the striker scored twice in a 2-1 win to help the Nerazzurri retain the trophy and extend Fiorentina’s long drought.

Nicolas Gonzalez sparked hopes of La Viola claiming their first piece of silverware in 22 years when he prodded home a cross inside three minutes to stun an electric Stadio Olimpico crowd in Rome.

But two exquisite finishes from Martinez before half-time put Inter back in control, and they held onto their lead in a frantic second half despite Fiorentina’s repeated forays forward.

While Fiorentina’s disappointment will be bitter, they have another chance at glory when they face West Ham in the Europa Conference League final in two weeks, while Inter’s victory will keep confidence high leading up to their Champions League decider with Manchester City.

Gonzalez’s early goal sent the purple-clad section of the stadium into a state of ecstasy, and their strong start continued from there as they pressed high and peppered a series of inaccurate efforts from range at goal.

The Inter support spent the first 15 minutes in silence in protest at the club’s ticket distribution for the Champions League final, but once they came to life, so did their team.

Martinez slipped Dzeko through one-on-one but the Bosnian could only blaze over, but three minutes later Martinez gathered a terrific Marcelo Brozovic through ball and banged a finish into the bottom corner for his 100th Inter goal.

He didn’t stay on a century for long, as eight minutes later the Argentina international showcased his superb technique by guiding a Nicolo Barella cross into the roof of the net on the volley.

Fiorentina came out fighting in the second half but couldn’t find an equaliser, substitute Luka Jovic coming closest with a shot that required a smart reflex save from Inter captain Samir Handanovic.

TALKING POINT – Inzaghi shows cup credentials yet again

Four trophies in two years. If you want to know why Simone Inzaghi has a reputation as a cup expert, just take that haul, add the three he won at Lazio, and sprinkle on top this season’s unexpected run to the Champions League final.

Inter’s league campaign may have been a damp squib – their defeat to Napoli on Sunday was incredibly their 12th of the season – but Inzaghi has a real knack for the knockout tournaments – especially in Italy.

He has won every domestic cup Inter have been involved in during his two years in charge, defending both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa this season. Manchester City will be another test entirely, but Inzaghi’s savviness has got them a long way and they shouldn’t be underestimated.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Lautaro Martinez

Who else? The Argentine sensation was single-handedly responsible for finding Inter a way back into this game after a poor start. Both his goals were textbook examples of what a confident, clinical striker looks like – although the second was a particular thing of beauty. A man for the big occasion.

PLAYER RATINGS

Fiorentina: Terracciano 6; Dodo 6, Milenkovic 6, Martinez Quarta 7, Biraghi 7; Amrabat 6, Castrovilli 6, Bonaventura 7; Ikone 6, Cabral 6, Gonzalez 8

Subs: Mandragora 6, Sottil 6, Ranieri 6, Jovic 6, Terzic 6

Inter: Handanovic 7; Darmian 7, Acerbi 7, Bastoni 6; Dumfries 6, Calhanoglu 7, Brozovic 8, Barella 8, Dimarco 6; Dzeko 6, Martinez 9

Subs: Lukaku 7, Gosens 6, Gagliardini 6, Correa 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

3’ FIORENTINA IN FRONT! GONZALEZ!

Can you believe it?! What a start for La Viola as Ikone plays a dangerous low cross right across the six yard box, for Gonzalez to tap in at the back post! It’s a dream start for Vincenzo Italiano’s side.

29’ GOAL! MARTINEZ DRAWS INTER LEVEL!

Inter are level! A fantastic through ball from Brozovic plays Martinez into space and he takes the shot first time, powering it into the far bottom corner from an angle. Great finish.

37′ GOAL! MARTINEZ AGAIN AND INTER ARE IN FRONT!

Barella clips in a cross from the right and Martinez gets ahead of his marker to steer a volley into the roof of the net. Superb control and execution from the striker, who is making this cup final his own.

81′ HUGE HANDANOVIC SAVE!

He’s kept them in front! Jovic gets on the end of a through ball and holds off his marker to get a shot away but Handanovic throws himself low at the ground and parries it away!

KEY STATS

• Lautaro Martínez scored his 100th goal for Inter today, considering all competitions; this is his best season in terms of goals (26).
• Nicolás González goal scored after 2 minutes and 30 seconds is the third fastest in a Coppa Italia final, after those of Totti (2007 vs Inter) and Chimenti (1979 vs Juventus with Palermo), both arrived within the first minute.