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Football

27th Dec 2018

WATCH: Mauro Icardi cracks the crossbar from the kick-off

Mauro Icardi almost pulled off the spectacular this evening as he took a shot directly from kick off against Napoli at the San Siro, hitting the bar

Reuben Pinder

Icardi

He was just inches away

It’s the sort of thing that you try on FIFA, shooting from the halfway line. Maybe in a seven-a-side match with your pals after work, but in a professional, competitive league match? Never. Unless you’re Mauro Icardi.

The Inter Milan captain attempted an audacious half-way line shot with the first kick of the game against Napoli tonight, and was inches away from scoring, as it crashed against the crossbar, giving David Ospina a scare.

The game was a stalemate until the final minute, when Lautaro Martinez scored a late winner for the hosts, allowing them to make ground on Napoli, who remain in second place by a five goal cushion.

Inter were given a helping hand when Kalidou Koulibaly was given his marching orders after bringing down Matteo Politano on the half-way line.

Inter sit in third, while Juventus top the table and remain undefeated, having dropped just four points all season. One of their two draws came this afternoon, when Atalanta drew 2-2 against a 10-man Juve side.