Lautaro Martínez returned from injury to score twice as Inter Milan demolished Roma 5-2 at San Siro, extending their Serie A lead to nine points. The Argentina striker needed just two minutes to open the scoring, finishing from Marcus Thuram's assist, before Hakan Çalhanoglu's 35-yard screamer and Nicolò Barella's strike completed the rout.

Roma briefly leveled through Gianluca Mancini's header, but Inter's attacking trio proved too much. Thuram set up Martínez for his second goal in the 52nd minute, then headed home a corner three minutes later. The victory was sealed when Barella smashed home a fifth after a powerful run into the box.

With seven matches remaining, AC Milan must beat Napoli on Monday to keep their title hopes alive. Inter's win came after they had dropped points in seven of their previous eight league games, giving chasers hope. Martínez's double takes his season tally to 23 goals, while the emphatic victory reasserts Inter's dominance at the top of the table.