Lazio sink Inter to cruise into Champions League race

Lazio threw the race for Champions League places wide open when an early Sergej Milinkovic-Savic goal gave them a 1-0 win at third-placed Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday. The Serbia international stunned the San Siro when he caught Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic off his guard to head in at the far post from Luis Alberto's cross in the 13th minute.

Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic kept Lazio's halftime lead to a single goal by blocking a Bastos header at point-blank range and turning away Luis Alberto's effort with a one-handed save. Inter had more possession but created few real chances. The result, which followed fourth-placed AC Milan's 1-0 loss at Sampdoria on Saturday, means there are eight points between third-placed Inter (53 points) and ninth-placed Sampdoria (45).

Lazio's win took them to fifth on 48 points with Atalanta and one point ahead of neighbours AS Roma but with a game in hand. The top four qualify for next season's Champions League.