Fiorentina fight back to secure a valuable 1-1 draw against Serie A leaders Inter, with Cher Ndour's late strike cancelling out a lightning-fast opener.
Inter made an explosive start at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026. Striker Francesco Pio Esposito fired home within the opening minute, expertly converting a precise pass from Nicolò Barella. This early strike set a tense tone for the first half of this Serie A clash.
Entering the fixture, Inter sat comfortably at the Serie A summit, aiming to extend their significant lead. Fiorentina, meanwhile, found themselves battling in the lower mid-table, desperate for points to improve their 16th-place standing. A home draw against the league leaders would be a significant morale boost.
Despite conceding early, Fiorentina responded with spirit, creating dangerous opportunities against the run of play. Inter maintained control with their dominant 60% possession. However, Fiorentina showed more attacking intent, registering 9 shots inside the box.
The first half ended with a flurry of yellow cards for Inter. Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto both entered the referee's book in minutes 42 and 44. This reflected a growing intensity in the midfield battle. Inter's early dominance gave way to a more scrappy period.
Despite leading, Inter faced a determined Fiorentina. Their attacking intent was clear from their 2.28 Expected Goals (xG) by half-time. The second half promised a tactical battle as both teams sought an advantage. Fiorentina would need to maintain their offensive pressure.
The second half saw immediate changes, with Inter bringing on Francesco Acerbi for Carlos Augusto. Fiorentina pressed hard for an equalizer, leading to a physical contest. Both sides picked up yellow cards, including Michele Brescianini, Cher Ndour, and Nicolò Barella.
Inter sought to reassert their control, introducing Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu around the 68th minute. Fiorentina countered with Fabiano Parisi. Yet, the home side's persistence finally paid off in dramatic fashion.
In the 77th minute, Cher Ndour became the home side's hero. He found the back of the net with a well-placed shot. This leveled the score and ignited the Stadio Artemio Franchi crowd. The equalizer was a deserved reward for Fiorentina's relentless effort.
Both managers introduced further substitutions in the closing stages, hoping to find a late winner. Inter brought on Petar Sučić and Luis Henrique. Fiorentina responded with Raffaele Piccoli and Gaetano Fabbian, but neither team could break the deadlock.
Fiorentina's strong offensive performance was reflected in the statistics. They registered 16 total shots, with 6 on target, and an impressive xG of 2.28. Inter, despite 60% ball possession and 86% pass accuracy, managed 12 shots with 4 on target. Their xG stood at 1.22, relying heavily on Francesco Pio Esposito's clinical early finish.
The 1-1 draw is a significant result for Fiorentina, offering a vital point in their battle to climb Serie A. For Inter, it represents a missed opportunity to solidify their substantial lead at the top of the table. The result served as a reminder that no points are easily won.
