Mauro Icardi scores twice as Inter Milan edge past Torino

Mauro Icardi took a major step towards regaining the adoration of hardcore Inter Milan fans while also throwing boss Frank de Boer a lifeline as his brace helped beat Torino 2-1 at San Siro.

The Nerazzurri captain has fallen out of favour with the home faithful following comments he made in his new autobiography, with Ultras demanding he is stripped of the armband.

But fans may start to reconsider their standpoint after watching the Argentinian notch in the first half before rescuing three points with a 88th-minute winner in response to Andrea Belotti's equaliser.

The victory will also strengthen De Boer's grip on the head coach role which he risked losing in the wake of three straight defeats.

Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images

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In the 35th minute Icardi benefited from a rick by Toro keeper Joe Hart, who could only push Antonio Candreva's through ball into the former Barcelona trainee's feet ahead of a straightforward finish.

Belotti, the newly minted Italy striker, levelled shortly after the hour by driving a powerful shot beyond Samir Handanovic.

Inter looked destined to settle for a disappointing draw, with Marcelo Brozovic fluffing his lines from close range, until Icardi decided to come to the party.

With three minutes remaining, he held the ball up in the penalty area before fizzing an unstoppable strike past a beleaguered Hart.

Next up for the Nerazzurri is Sunday's trip to lowly Sampdoria, who lost 4-1 at Juventus on Wednesday. Torino's six-match unbeaten run comes to an end before they travel to face Udinese.