Danilo D'Ambrosio, Mauro Icardi fire Inter past Qarabag

Claudio Villa - Inter/Getty Images

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Inter Milan beat Qarabag 2-0 on Thursday evening at the San Siro to open up a four-point lead in Group F of the Europa League.

Danilo D'Ambrosio put the Italians ahead in the 18th minute before Mauro Icardi struck his team's second with five minutes remaining to ensure Inter made it two wins from two.

St. Etienne held Dnipro to a goalless result in the other group game to move to second in the pool.

Qarabag, who drew their opener at home to St. Etienne, went into the contest looking to become the first Azerbaijan side to win a group stage game in European competition.

However, the visitors failed to test Inter goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo throughout the game.

It was the hosts, desperate to make amends for Sunday's humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Cagliari, their first loss this season, who dominated the contest.

The Nerazzurri enjoyed early possession and went in front when D'Ambrosio got past his marker and struck a right-footed effort from 30 yards past Qarabag goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.

The hosts should have doubled their lead two minutes later when Fredy Guarin set up Andrea Ranocchia in the area, but his right-footed shot went over the bar.

Shortly after, Sehic kept out Hernanes' powerful header from Guarin's cross.

The visitors had a good chance to equalise before half-time when a fast break saw Reynaldo Silva surge inside the area and his right-footed shot from 12 yards went just wide.

Qarabag coach Gurban Gurbanov made his first substitution early in the second half with striker Vuqar Nadirov replacing Namiq Yusifov.

However, it was Inter that looked more dangerous.

Before the hour mark, Icardi warmed the hands of Sehic with a hard drive from 30 yards which the keeper saved.

Inter continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 85th minute.

A fast counter-attack saw Daniel Osvaldo set up Icardi in the box and he struck the ball towards the far post and out of Sehic's reach.