Fiorentina Salvages Point Against Inter in Dramatic Stoppage-Time Draw

The comeback was almost complete. For 45 minutes of the second half, Fiorentina had seized control of a match that seemed destined for disaster, transforming a halftime deficit into a stunning lead at Viola Park. But in the cruel mathematics of Serie A Women, "almost" counts for nothing.

Inter Milano's Irene Santi struck in the 90th minute Saturday afternoon, a dagger of a goal that denied Fiorentina their first points of the season and preserved the visitors' unbeaten start to the campaign. The 2-2 draw left the hosts still searching for their first win while Inter maintained their position near the summit of the table, though the result felt like two points dropped for a side that has been steamrolling opponents.

The match's narrative arc defied its own logic. Inter, riding a wave of form that included a 7-0 demolition of Vllaznia in Europa Cup action just three days prior, appeared poised to continue their dominance when Elisa Polli broke the deadlock four minutes before halftime. The striker, who has been in scintillating form with goals in each of her last three appearances, found space in Fiorentina's penalty area and finished with clinical precision.

What happened in the Fiorentina dressing room at halftime remains unknown, but the transformation was immediate and total. Within moments of the restart, the hosts had equalized through an unknown scorer whose identity will eventually be revealed in the official records but whose impact was immediate and electric. Four minutes later, Fiorentina completed the turnaround with another goal, sending Viola Park into pandemonium.

The comeback seemed to validate Fiorentina's belief that their opening-day loss to Napoli—a narrow 1-0 defeat that flattered neither side—was merely an aberration. Here, finally, was evidence that this squad possessed the resilience and quality to compete in Italy's top flight.

But Inter, currently sitting second in the table with three points from their opening fixture, has not built their reputation on capitulation. The visitors have scored 15 goals across five matches in all competitions this season, a torrent of offense powered by the likes of Haley Bugeja and Martina Tomaselli. They pressed forward relentlessly in search of an equalizer, testing Fiorentina's backline with wave after wave of attacks.

The pressure finally told in stoppage time. Santi's finish was the product of sustained territorial dominance, a reward for Inter's refusal to accept defeat. For Fiorentina, it was a gut punch that transformed euphoria into despair in an instant.

The point does little to alter either team's trajectory. Inter remains firmly in the title conversation, their offensive firepower evident in recent performances—five past Ternana, seven against Vllaznia, four against both Hibernian and Valur. This draw represents their first dropped points of the domestic campaign, but their cushion of goals and confidence remains substantial.

For Fiorentina, the arithmetic is more troubling. One point from two matches leaves them languishing in ninth place, a position that fails to reflect the quality suggested by their second-half performance. The question facing the Viola is whether this result represents a turning point or merely another false dawn in what threatens to become a difficult season.

The broader context makes Saturday's result even more significant. Inter entered as overwhelming favorites, their recent form suggesting this would be a routine victory. Instead, they found themselves chasing the game, scrambling for an equalizer, grateful for Santi's late intervention. That Fiorentina could dominate the second half against such formidable opposition suggests their struggles may be more mental than technical.

Both sides now face critical junctures. Inter must rediscover the ruthlessness that produced those lopsided victories, the killer instinct that transforms two-goal leads into comfortable wins rather than desperate holds. Fiorentina must find a way to translate 45 minutes of excellence into 90, to carry momentum from kickoff rather than conjuring it only in response to adversity.

The Serie A Women season is young, but patterns are already emerging. Inter looks like a team built for sustained success, even on days when perfection eludes them. Fiorentina appears capable of competing with anyone—for at least half a match. Whether that's enough remains the season's defining question.