Dumfries nets brace as Inter clinches thrilling seven goal thriller over Como to extend lead by nine points

The Nerazzurri travelled briefly northwards aiming to make significant progress towards reclaiming the Scudetto following Napoli’s stalemate against Parma earlier that Sunday. Como, however, harboured their own grand goals of achieving UEFA Champions League qualification for the inaugural time and dominated the initial exchanges, with Denzel Dumfries and Francesco Acerbi executing excellent clearances to thwart attempts by Anastasios Douvikas and Alex Valle. 

It foreshadowed the excitement ahead, as the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia burst into cheers when Valle opened the scoring in the 36th minute. The defender netted his debut professional goal by deftly converting a rebound after Yann Sommer had deflected Nico Paz’s first effort straight to the Spaniard.

Paz then etched his name on the scoresheet shortly before the interval, as the Argentine controlled a lengthy pass from Jean Butez, adjusted his position and unleashed a brilliant left footed effort that grazed the upright before finding the net.

Yet Inter responded emphatically to cap an engaging conclusion to the first half, with Marcus Thuram reducing the arrears through a clever improvised volley off Nicolo Barella's delivery.

Como inadvertently paved the way for their reversal when Thuram netted once more merely four minutes after the restart, erasing their two goal advantage. Barella assisted again here, delivering an accurate pass for the Frenchman, who expertly chipped Butez while the keeper was caught out beyond the box.

The extraordinary turnaround was sealed just two minutes before the hour when Dumfries nodded in from Hakan Calhanoglu’s free kick at the back post, demonstrating the poise of title contenders.

The home team refused to yield easily, though Sommer excelled in diverting a tricky free kick from Paz.

However, vitally, Cristian Chivu’s team scored once more to deflate Cesc Fabregas’ squad. Manuel Akanji controlled Calhanoglu’s probing cross and teed up Dumfries to smash in his brace and Inter’s fourth, essentially confirming the victory.

The Biancoblu had the final say regardless, as Lucas Da Cunha converted from the spot after Ange-Yoan Bonny was penalised for fouling Paz.

This triumph carried an intimidating aura for Chivu’s players, who seem revitalised in their quest for a 21st elite division crown following a tenth success in their last 12 away fixtures.

In contrast, this outcome halted an eight game unbeaten streak in all tournaments for Como (W5, D3), who forfeited the opportunity to enter the top four after enduring their sixth domestic loss this campaign.