Former Chelsea star Pedro scored a 90th-minute penalty for Lazio to dent Inter Milan’s title hopes on the penultimate matchday in Serie A.
Inter were in prime position to go top, with the Rossoneri 2-1 up against Lazio heading into added time at the San Siro while their championship rivals Napoli were drawing away at Parma.
The spot-kick was awarded following a lengthy VAR check, with Yann Aurel Bisseck deemed to have handled inside the area.
While Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was sent off for his protestations at the decision, Pedro kept his cool to slot home from 12 yards.
Inter’s match finishing 2-2 will come as a relief to Napoli boss Antonio Conte, after his side could only manage a goalless draw away to Parma.
It had looked as though Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries’ goal 11 minutes from time would give Inter a vital three points, only for Inzaghi’s side to be pegged back in the dying embers of the contest.
Former Chelsea star Pedro scored a 90th-minute penalty for Lazio to dent Inter Milan’s Serie A title hopes
The Rossoneri missed the chance to go top as Napoli drew 0-0 away to Parma
The Champions League finalists had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time through Bisseck before Pedro responded midway through the second half to bring the game back on level terms.
But as added time approached there was a further twist to take Inter’s destiny out of their own hands regarding the destination of this year’s Scudetto.
There could still be another chapter in this titanic Serie A title race, with Inter travelling to Cesc Fabregas’ Como next weekend while Napoli have the chance to become champions in front of their own fans as they host Cagliari.
Inter may have to do so without Inzaghi on the touchline following his red card, as he was incensed at the decision to award Lazio a penalty.
The same fate befell Conte, who was also irate in the closing stages of Napoli’s draw – which could prove to be pivotal given inter also failed to win.
Conte’s anger may have in part been provoked by his side’s inability to convert their chances as they hit the woodwork on three occasions.
Speaking after his side stayed top, Conte said, per Gazzetta dello Sport: ‘We are close, but we still have to take the final step and we can do it at home, with our fans.
Simone Inzaghi was sent off for his irate reaction to Lazio being awarded the penalty
Meanwhile, his coaching rival Antonio Conte was also shown a red card in Napoli’s draw against Parma
‘It is a very difficult championship, what we wanted to do is to cause trouble until the end. We were in the lead for a long time, despite a year full of great difficulties from all points of view, but we never complained and we moved forward.
‘We are one step away from doing something historic and unimaginable for Naples. It is different compared to other teams accustomed to collecting trophies.’
Whatever the outcome of the Serie A championship in 2025, Inter will still have a Champions League final to look forward to.
Having overcome Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in what was an instant classic of a tie over two legs, they will face PSG in the final in Munich on May 31.