Inter Draws 2-2 With Lazio As Pedro's Late Penalty Impacts Title Race

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Inter's aspirations for the title took a hit as Pedro's late penalty secured a 2-2 draw for Lazio at San Siro. This result prevented Inter from claiming the top spot. The title race will now extend to the final matchday, but Inter no longer controls its destiny. Napoli also drew 0-0 with Parma, leaving Antonio Conte's team in a favourable position.

In the first half, both teams had chances, with Federico Dimarco and Gustav Isaksen testing the goalkeepers. Inter gained momentum when Yann Bisseck scored just before halftime, capitalising on Dimarco's blocked attempt to find the top-left corner. However, Lazio equalised in the 72nd minute through Pedro after a VAR review confirmed Matias Vecino was onside.

Denzel Dumfries restored Inter's lead with a powerful header in the 79th minute, putting them back at the Serie A summit. Yet, Bisseck turned from hero to villain by conceding a late penalty. Both Marco Baroni and Simone Inzaghi were dismissed for dissent following this incident. Pedro then calmly converted the penalty in the 90th minute, keeping Lazio in contention for a Champions League spot.

Inter now needs to outperform Napoli next Sunday to secure the title. They have 78 points and will face Como away on the final day. Napoli sits at 79 points and will host Cagliari. If both teams finish level on points, a playoff will determine the champion.

Pedro entered in the 53rd minute and made a significant impact by ensuring Lazio remains just two points behind Juventus for fourth place. He is only the second player to score at least nine goals as a substitute in a Serie A season during the three-points-per-win era, following Luis Muriel's eleven goals in 2019-20.

This season, no other player has matched Pedro's nine goals as a substitute across Europe's top five leagues, equalling Alexander Sorloth's tally. Meanwhile, Inter has struggled at home recently, failing to win two of their last three Serie A matches at San Siro after previously securing six consecutive home victories.