Inter Milan narrowly defeated Kairat Almaty with a 2-1 win on matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League League Phase match of the 2025/26 season at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday.

In the first half, Lautaro's shot was blocked off the goal line, Inter's penalty kick opportunity were taken back due to Bisseck's dive, Satpayev's long-range shot hit the crossbar, and Lautaro scored by tapping in from close range. In the second half, Arad scored with a header, Pio Esposito's shot was brilliantly saved, and Carlos Augusto scored with a long-range effort. Ultimately, Inter Milan secured a 2-1 narrow victory over Kairat Almaty. After this round of matches, I Nerazzurri, celebrating their fourth consecutive win, are currently third on the table with 12 points; the reigning Kazakh Premier League champions are currently 34th with 1 point.

First Half

In the 10th minute, Lautaro Martínez made a straight pass from the left side of the box. Federico Dimarco quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his left footed shot from the left side of the box. His shot was initially was parried and cleared off not far away by Temirlan Anarbekov, After picking up the loose ball, Lautaro took a right-footed shot follow-up from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked off the goal line by Yegor Sorokin. Inter Milan missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock early!

2 minutes later, after picking up the loose ball, Francesco Pio Esposito attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked by Luis Mata.

In the 14th minute, Piotr Zielinski passed the ball back from the byline at the left wing. Lautaro quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.

5 minutes later, Yann Bisseck intercepted the ball and dribbled into the byline at the right side of the box, where he appeared to be brought down by Ofri Arad. The referee immediately blew his whistle, awarding Inter Milan a penalty. However, the VAR assistant referee immediately intervened, and after the referee went to the sidelines to review the VAR replay, it was found that Bisseck had actually dived and was actually the one who had fouled Arad, thus rescinding the penalty decision! However, Bissek's lack of punishment for his dive and foul sparked controversy!

In the 28th minute, Kairat Almaty won a corner. Valery Gromyko took the corner by crossing it into the box. Edmilson rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Yann Sommer.

In the 41st minute, Aleksandr Mrinskiy crossed into the box from the right wing. Edmilson rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Yann Sommer.

2 minutes later, Kairat Almaty launched a quick counter-attack. Gromyko intercepted the ball and passes horizontally from the right wing. Datsan Satpayev quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from the edge of the penalty area. His shot was deflected by Stefan de Vrij, hit the crossbar, and bounced off! Kairat Almaty and the Kazakh international striker wonderkid, who will join Chelsea next August, missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

In the 45th minute, Denzel Dumfries' cross from the byline at the left wing caused chaos in the penalty area. After picking up the the loose ball, Lautaro Martínez tapped the ball tapped it into the bottom right corner of the net with his right foot from a very close distance in the box to break the deadlock first and give Inter Milan a 1-0 lead! This is the Inter captain's 7th goal in all competitions this season, and his 160th goal for I Nerazzurri!

At halftime, Inter Milan temporarily led Kairat Almaty by 1-0. 

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 48th minute, Ange-Yoan Bonny passes horizontally from the left wing. Upon receiving the pass, Pio Esposito took a right-footed long shot from the edge of the penalty area. His shot was initially was parried and cleared off not far away by Anarbekov. After quickly following up and picking up the loose ball, Carlos Augusto took a left-footed follow-up shot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.

7 minutes later, Kairat Almaty got a deadly corner kick opportunity. Satpayev took the corner by crossing it into the box. Aleksandr Shirobokov headed the ball across, before Ofri Arad rose high and scored with a header in the box, making it 1-1 between Kairat Almaty and Inter Milan!

In the 66th minute, Bonny made a straight pass from the front. Pio Esposito quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, attempted a right-footed shot against the outrushing Anarbekov from the edge of the penalty area. His shot was brilliantly blocked and cleared off not far away by Anarbekov's outstrecthed leg. Petar Sučić quickly followed up and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was again saved by Anarbekov.

Shortly after, Pio Esposito passed the ball back from the front. Carlos Augusto quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. His shot flew straight into the bottom right corner of the net past the helpless Anarbekov. Inter Milan regained their lead at 2-1!

In the 83rd minute, Inter Milan won a corner. Federico Dimarco took the corner by crossing it into the box. Marcus Thuram rose high and attempted with a header from a very close distance in the box, however his effort went just slightly wide of the left side of the post.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Hakan Çalhanoğlu passes horizontally from the right wing, and Thuram quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Anarbekov.

When the final whistle is blown, Inter Milan narrowly defeated Kairat Almaty by 2-1.