Inter vs. Milan result and highlights: Olivier Giroud nets twice in dramatic comeback win

The Serie A title race is on after AC Milan came from behind with two goals from forward Olivier Giroud to beat the current leaders Inter Milan in an intense derby match.

With 14 matches left to play in the Serie A season, Inter Milan (1st, 53 points) saw its four-point lead shrink to just one, although it still has a game in hand. The defeat, only the second loss of the season for Inter, brought an end to Inter Milan's long 14-match undefeated streak and it gives hope to both AC Milan (2nd, 52 points) and Napoli (3rd, 49 points) in their chase of the title.

Inter looked on its way to a comfortable win after Ivan Perisic struck a first-half volley on a corner kick to put his team ahead. As Inter controlled the second half, Nerazzurri manager Simone Inzaghi substituted several of his best players with 20 minutes remaining and it felt like Inter entered into cruise control. Milan's Giroud had other ideas.

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The Frenchman, who was starting in the absence of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic, applied a sliding touch for a 75th-minute equalizer and then expertly finished with a deft move and a shot on goal just three minutes later, turning defender Milan Skriniar like a top. AC Milan would hold onto the lead for the dramatic, come-from-behind victory, the first derby comeback for AC Milan since 2004, halting Inter's 28-match home unbeaten stretch.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had a major role to play to keep the scoreline close during a dominant first half by Inter. He made a handful of incredible reflex stops to keep Inter off the board and the Nerazzurri also had a first-half goal taken off the board for a clear offside position by Perisic.

Right wingback Denzel Dumfries was one of the best players for Inter Milan and throughout the match he got under the skin of AC Milan left back Theo Hernandez, who lashed out in the end with a kick from behind in the final minute of the match to receive a straight red card. But it did not cost AC Milan, which held on for the win.

Both clubs will be back in action in midweek in the Italian Cup quarterfinals. Inter Milan hosts AS Roma on Tuesday and AC Milan welcome Lazio the next day in a dual Milan vs. Rome showdown.

Inter vs. Milan final score   1H 2H Final Inter Milan 1 0 1 AC Milan 0 2 2

Goals: INT - Ivan Perisic (Hakan Calhanoglu) - 38th min.MIL - Olivier Giroud - 75th min.MIL - Olivier Giroud (Davide Calabria) - 78th min.

(All times Eastern)

Final: Inter Milan 1, AC Milan 2

MILAN WITH A COMEBACK WIN IN THE DERBY DELLA MADONINNA. ABSOLUTE SCENES.