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Inter Milan beat Venezia to move second in Serie A

Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring for Inter
Inter Milan have won the Serie A title on 20 occasions and are the reigning Italian champions [Getty Images]

Inter Milan moved up to second in Serie A as they beat struggling Venezia at the San Siro.

Lautaro Martinez claimed the 65th-minute winner with a diving header, converting a Federico Dimarco left-wing cross.

But there was late drama as Venezia thought they had equalised in the seventh minute of injury time through Marin Sverko, only for the goal to be ruled out for handball following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Inter believed they had opened the scoring earlier in the second half, only for Henrikh Mkhitaryan's effort to be ruled out for offside following another VAR intervention.

Hakan Calhanoglu almost added a second late on with a 30-yard strike, but was denied by visiting goalkeeper Filip Stankovic's excellent save.

The victory left Inter a point behind leaders Napoli, who they entertain in their next league match on Sunday, 10 November, while Venezia are 18th and in the relegation zone.

In a big week for Inter, they are back at the San Siro on Wednesday to host Arsenal in the Champions League, with both sides having two wins and a draw from their opening three matches in the competition.