Inter Milan were made to work harder than expected but ultimately secured a 2-1 victory over Kairat Almaty at San Siro, keeping their perfect record intact and joining the select group of teams boasting a 100% start in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) League Phase.

As heavy favourites, Inter dominated from the outset against a Kairat side that had collected just one point from their opening three matches. Federico Dimarco tested Temirlan Anarbekov with a powerful near-post drive, before Egor Sorokin intervened superbly to block Lautaro Martínez’s follow-up.

The hosts thought they had earned a penalty soon after when Yann Bisseck went down under a challenge from Ofri Arad, but following a VAR review, the referee overturned his initial decision, ruling that Bisseck had initiated the contact.

Despite Inter’s control, Cristian Chivu’s men were given a couple of scares in an entertaining first half. Yann Sommer was forced into a sharp save to deny Edmilson’s header, while Dastan Satpayev’s thunderous long-range strike skimmed the top of the crossbar.

The Nerazzurri finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, with Martínez showing his sharp instincts once again. After his initial effort was blocked, the Argentine forward reacted quickest to lift a right-footed shot past Anarbekov at the near post — his fourth European goal of the campaign.

That would prove Martínez’s final contribution, as he was withdrawn at the interval. His replacement could only watch in disbelief moments into the second half when Kairat struck back. Arad pounced on a loose ball from a corner and guided a precise header into the far corner, becoming the first player to score against Inter in this season’s League Phase.

Inter’s response was swift. Determined to restore their lead, Chivu’s side pressed forward relentlessly, and Carlos Augusto delivered the decisive blow midway through the second period. The Brazilian full-back latched onto Francesco Pio Esposito’s clever layoff and drove a low strike beyond Anarbekov to seal all three points for the hosts.

The victory extends Inter’s flawless European run, though Chivu will be mindful of the brief defensive lapse that ended their clean sheet streak. For Kairat, there were encouraging moments in defeat, but their wait for a first win of the campaign continues.