ROME (AP) — Inter Milan proved on Monday there's a third team in the Serie A race, especially when Mauro Icardi is leading.
Icardi netted twice to help Inter win at Lazio 3-0 and move to second overall, level on points with Napoli. They are six points behind seven-time defending champion Juventus.
The Inter captain failed to find the back of the net in his first four league matches this season, but has rediscovered his scoring touch.
Icardi was the star in the derby in the last round, with a stoppage-time winner against AC Milan. His two latest goals on a rainy night in the Italian capital took his tally to six in his past four league matches.
Just a point separated the teams going into the match and Lazio was out for revenge after losing to Inter on the final day of last season. The Nerazzurri leapfrogged the capital club into the final Champions League berth.
Lazio forward Ciro Immobile and Inter counterpart Icardi shared the top goalscorer award last season, and it was the Argentina international who opened the scoring in the 29th minute, prodding home after Matias Vecino flicked on a ball from Ivan Perisic.
Inter doubled its lead shortly before halftime when Lazio failed to clear a corner properly and Marcelo Brozovic drilled a 20-yard effort through a crowd and into the bottom left corner.
Icardi grabbed his second of the game in the 70th, with a delicious feint around a Lazio defender before slotting into the bottom near corner.
Lazio remained fourth, four points behind Inter and Napoli.
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