to a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona on Saturday evening in Serie A.
The 22-year-old’s early tap in was set up by his fellow countryman, with Icardi on hand in the second half to return the favour to Palacio. Evangelos Moras scored an own goal in the dying moments, while Luca Toni also had a penalty saved.
Inter pressed well early on in the game, though without creating many dangerous opportunities. A Hernanes header which sailed over the bar was the best they could muster.
Then, just 11 minuted in Icardi put the Nerazzurri ahead in somewhat controversial circumstances.
As Panagiotis Tachtsidis lay on the ground injured, with Verona looking for their opponents to put the ball out of play, Rodrigo Palacio slid in a cross for his fellow Argentinian to tap in, resulting in fervent yet pointless Mastini protestations.
That setback seemed to light a fire in the belly of the Verona players, Luca Toni header just over from a free kick, but Inter soon got themselves back on top, though failed to penetrate a well organised Verona defence.
Marcelo Brozovic did have a couple of long range efforts but neither troubled Mastini goalkeeper Rafael.
Early in the second half Inter doubled their lead as Palacio slid home from close range, following a slick counter attack. After intercepting Juanito pass to Toni, Icardi strode upfield and hit a low cross which Palacio made no mistake with.
It should have been three moments later as the Argentinian pair almost combined once more, but for the presence of Jacopo Sala which seemed to unsettle Icardi a little as he looked to tap another in.
Juanito was again in the thick of the action as he curled a cross over from the left side, Bosko Jankovic headed back into his path but an alert Samir Handanovic just got to the ball before the 29-year-old.
Handanovic then came to his side’s rescue with a superb double save. First Mounir Obbadi fired at goal, which the goalkeeper beat away, before Evangelos Moras’ rebound was pushed wide.
Next up was Obbadi who smashed an effort from 12 yards miles over the bar. Then Palacio diverted a Danilo D’Ambrosio cross onto the post.
Verona fought back into the game and won a penalty after Leandro Greco was taken down in the box by Nemanja Vidic. However Toni’s spot kick was saved by Handanovic.
As the game moved to its closing stages, poor finishing cost Verona as Inter were content to sit back. Then the defeat was compounded as Moras put the ball into his own net.
The result now moves Inter up to eighth place in the Serie A table, above city rivals AC Milan who play on Sunday evening.
