Marcus Thuram strikes at the death to edge Inter Milan past Young Boys

Substitute Marcus Thuram scored in stoppage time as Inter Milan snatched a dramatic 1-0 win at Young Boys in the Champions League.

The Italian champions looked set to be held to a frustrating draw at the Wankdorf Stadium before Thuram steered home Federico Dimarco’s cross in the third minute of added time to break Young Boys’ hearts.

Inter Milan have now won two of their opening three games ahead of the visit of Arsenal to the San Siro on November 6.

Simeone Inzaghi was forced into a series of changes with both Francesco Acerbi and Hakan Calhanoglu sustaining injuries in Inter’s win against Roma last weekend.

Stefan de Vrij and Davide Frattesi both started, while Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi were thrust up front with Inzaghi rotating his team ahead of his side’s Serie A clash against Juventus on Sunday.

For Young Boys, exciting French winger Alan Virginius, on loan from Lille, was handed his first Champions League start.

The home side headed into Wednesday’s fixture following consecutive Champions League defeats against Aston Villa and Barcelona, conceding eight goals across the two games without response.

But the Swiss side enjoyed an encouraging start with Virginius’ header hooked clear by Benjamin Pavard midway through the opening period.

Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer, back in his homeland, then turned away Lukasz Lakomy’s header before David von Ballmoos was called into action at the other end when he blocked Yann Bisseck’s shot with his outstretched left leg – the best chance for either side prior to the interval.

But just one minute after the break, English referee Michael Oliver awarded the visitors the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after he adjudged Jaouen Hadjam pulled Denzel Dumfries down in the area.

Arnautovic stepped up but he was denied by Von Ballmoos before the Swiss keeper got back on to his feet to prevent Dumfries’ follow-up.

On the hour mark, Young Boys came within inches of taking the lead after Joel Monteiro struck the post following a fine right-footed effort.

With 15 minutes remaining Dimarco found fellow substitute Piotr Zielinski on the edge of the area but he dragged his shot wide. Moments later another replacement, Lautaro Martinez, fired from distance but his effort was well saved by Von Ballmoos.

Both sides pressed for a winner and Zielinski looked set to land his first goal for Inter in the 90th minute only to blaze his effort wildly over from seven yards.

That looked to be it, before Thuram, introduced in the 76th minute, converted Dimarco’s cross in the third of four scheduled stoppage-time minutes to claim a late victory.