The Argentinian pounced on a mistake by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to nod home in the second minute of added time after an otherwise forgettable match, leaving Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan without a win in the last five league derbies. But Inter continued its recent resurgence under Luciano Spalletti. It moved to within six points of leader Juventus.

There was an injury blow for Inter ahead of Champions League clash against Barcelona, though, with Radja Nainggolan substituted midway through the first half after tangling Lucas Biglia. AC Milan remains in 12th after seeing its eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to a halt. Icardi had the ball in the net early on, but the striker’s effort was ruled out for offside after a check with VAR.

Although the opening stages of the game were not overflowing with attacking quality, there was plenty of niggle, with Biglia left incensed after he was booked despite appearing to have been stamped on by Nainggolan before the Belgian hobbled off. Inter looked the more likely to find a breakthrough in the first half, with Ivan Perisic seeing a header palmed away by Donnarumma and Stefan de Vrij striking the crossbar.

Out of nowhere AC Milan thought it had taken the lead shortly before half-time, but it was Mateo Musacchio’s turn to be denied by the linesman’s flag. Inter had a couple of second-half chances from set-pieces, with Matias Vecino nodding over and Perisic seeing a thunderous strike blocked.

The game appeared to be petering out into a goalless draw, but Donnaruma came and failed to claim a speculative right-wing cross from Vecino, and Icardi headed into the unguarded net to score his fourth league goal of the campaign.