SOCCER: Inter extend Serie A lead after fighting back from two goals down to beat Como

COMO, Italy — Inter Milan produced a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Como 4-3 away on Sunday, with Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries scoring twice each to extend their lead at the top of Serie A to nine points.

Inter moved to 75 points with six matches remaining, capitalizing on second-placed Napoli’s 1-1 draw at Parma earlier in the day. Como remain fifth with 58 points, just two behind Juventus in the race for the final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.

Como made a strong start and led 2-0 before halftime through Alex Valle and Nico Paz, putting the league leaders under pressure. However, Thuram pulled one back with the final action of the first half before striking again in the 49th minute after a defensive error to level the match.

Dumfries then completed the turnaround in the 58th minute, heading in from a Hakan Calhanoglu free kick to give Inter the lead, before adding his second in the 72nd minute from a Manuel Akanji knockdown.

Como refused to fade and pulled a goal back late through Lucas Da Cunha, who converted a penalty after Nico Paz was fouled, but Inter held firm to secure a crucial victory in the title race.

Inter manager Cristian Chivu praised his team’s resilience after a difficult first half.

“We were struggling and went 2-0 down, but we got a goal back and that gave us confidence. After the restart, we stepped up a gear, showed character, and turned it around, though it was certainly not easy,” Chivu told DAZN. “This was a victory of maturity, where we understood the moments of the match.”

Como started brightly in front of their home supporters, with Inter missing captain Lautaro Martinez due to a calf injury. The hosts created several early chances and limited Inter to long-range efforts.

Como broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Alex Valle reacted quickest after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer parried Nico Paz’s initial shot. They doubled their advantage just before halftime when Paz latched onto a long pass from goalkeeper Jean Butez and finished from a tight angle, despite Sommer getting a touch.

Inter responded immediately in stoppage time when Thuram turned in a Nicolò Barella cross, before leveling shortly after the restart when a defensive mix-up allowed Thuram to finish into an empty net.

Dumfries then took control of the match with two second-half goals to complete the comeback, although Como continued to push and nearly earned a point when Jacobo Ramón struck the crossbar late on.

Elsewhere, AC Milan suffered a 3-0 defeat to Udinese, while Napoli dropped points in their draw at Parma, allowing Inter to strengthen their grip on the title race.

Despite the growing gap at the top, Chivu dismissed suggestions that the Scudetto was already decided.

“We are happy to get closer to the target, but mathematically we are not there yet,” he said.

Inter’s next league match is at home against Cagliari on Friday, before hosting Como again next Tuesday in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final after a goalless first leg.

Como, meanwhile, remain in contention for European qualification, with manager Cesc Fabregas emphasizing performance over league position as the season reaches its final stretch.

“I don’t know what position we are in the table because I haven’t checked since the start of the season and I’m not going to now,” Fabregas said. “We focus on performance, and we will see where we finish after the final matches.” -Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Sonali Paul/Reuters