Defender Matteo Darmian scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute on Sunday as Inter found it tougher than expected against a side fighting for Serie A survival.

The match ended with coach Antonio Conte running onto the pitch to celebrate with his players as the goal restored Inter's 11-point advantage over second-placed AC Milan, who had won 3-1 at Parma on Saturday.

Juventus, who now look certain to see their nine-year reign as Italian champions ended, beat Genoa 3-1 but they're still 12 points behind Inter, who are bidding for a first league title since 2010.

Struggling Cagliari were without first-choice goalkeeper Alessio Cragno after he contracted coronavirus on Italy duty, so Guglielmo Vicario made his Serie A debut.

His first save was a tough one in the 11th minute but he managed to push Christian Eriksen's powerful attempt out.

Inter had the best chances but Vicario managed to keep the score goalless.

Stefan de Vrij's header hit the bar in the 69th minute and Inter finally found the breakthrough shortly after.

Achraf Hakimi played a one-two with Romelu Lukaku on the right side of the area before rolling across for Darmian to slide in at the back post and fire in from close range.

Juventus got off to the perfect start when Dejan Kulusevski curled a goal into the far corner with less than four minutes on the clock.

In the 22nd minute, Ronaldo turned a rebound onto the left post from almost point-blank range but Alvaro Morata followed up to score.

Gianluca Scamacca headed in a corner to reduce the deficit four minutes after the break but Weston McKennie sealed the result in the 70th after slipping the offside trap.

Australian Associated Press