Inter thrash Stjarnan in play-off

Mauro Icardi, Dodo and Danilo D’Ambrosio gave Internazionale a 3-0 away win at Stjarnan in their Europa League play-off.

Inter are close to qualifying for the Europa Leage Group stages with their win against Stjarnan. Photo by Inter.it
Inter are close to qualifying for the Europa Leage Group stages with their win against Stjarnan. Photo by Inter.it

Inter triumphed 3-0 away to Stjarnan on Wednesday, in the first leg of their Uefa Europa League play-off.

Walter Mazzarri's men had too much class for their opponents in Reykjavik, with goals from Mauro Icardi and Dodo either side of half-time building an imposing lead for the Italians before Danilo D'Ambrosio added a third late on.

The visitors were rewarded for their first-half dominance at the Laugardalsvollur when Icardi finished off a dinked cross in from Dodo - with the Stjarnan defence unable to deal with it.

Dodo then doubled Inter's lead shortly after the interval, nodding home Jonathan's cross at the far post - and D'Ambrosio capped a complete performance in the 89th minute.

Dodo and Icardi earlier combined to create the first chance of the game in the third minute, with the former's corner finding the Argentine in the area – but his header went high over the crossbar.

Inter were building pressure and plenty of corners followed, although the hosts held firm - and even got off a shot on target of their own via American midfielder Pablo Punyed in the 11th minute, but it did not trouble goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Dodo and Mateo Kovacic were dangerous creators throughout the opening period, before the former provided for Icardi, who duly converted to give Inter the advantage.

Brazilian full-back Dodo then turned scorer, netting a header from fellow full-back Jonathan to strengthen Inter's position.

Making his competitive debut for the club, Dani Osvaldo hit the woodwork late on after coming on as a second-half substitute, before D'Ambrosio smashed a ball home into the roof of the net after Zdravko Kuzmanovic laid the ball off for him.

Inter will host the Icelandic club in the second leg on August 28, with one foot in the group stages.