The victory moved Inter level on 12 points with leaders Roma, who had earlier defeated hosts Torino 2-0. Roma remain top on goal difference, setting up a highly anticipated clash between the two sides in the next round.

Inter come from behind again

Inter produced another comeback in the Italian top flight, overturning a two-goal deficit against Napoli in the previous round to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, with captain Lautaro Martinez scoring twice. This time, however, Martinez was absent as Inter repeated the feat against Udinese.

At Giuseppe Meazza, Udinese made a flying start, stunning the hosts with two goals, one from Irishman James Abankwah in the ninth minute and the other from Dutchman Jürgen Ekkelenkamp in the 16th.

Inter responded with five goals, scored by Brazilian Carlos Augusto in the 26th minute, Nicolo Barella in the 35th, Frenchman Marcus Thuram in the 57th, Francesco Pio Esposito in the 67th and Ivorian Ange-Yoan Bonny in the 79th.

Udinese pulled one back through Senegalese Idrissa Gueye in the first minute of stoppage time, but Inter held on to secure all three points.

Inter, coached by Romanian Christian Chivu, were also dealt an early blow when England centre-back John Stones left the pitch with an injury, as the team prepared to travel to the capital on Saturday.

The Lombardy side regained their composure after a disappointing 1-2 away defeat to Spanish giants Real Madrid in their opening UEFA Champions League league-phase match.

Udinese, meanwhile, continued their inconsistent start to the season, remaining on four points in 13th place after losing 1-2 to Lazio, beating Monza 3-2 away, and drawing 1-1 with Como in their opening league match.

Malen scores sixth Serie A goal

Earlier in Turin, Roma secured a valuable 2-0 win over Torino, with Dutch forward Donyell Malen opening the scoring in the 40th minute, before midfielder Niccolò Pisilli sealed the win in the third minute of stoppage time.

Malen, who had squandered a series of chances in the first half, raised his Serie A tally to six goals since the start of the new season.

Roma continued to dominate early in the second half, but their momentum slowed after coach Gian Piero Gasperini brought on Malen and Argentine forward Paulo Dybala.

Pisilli, the 21-year-old midfielder, then put the result beyond doubt in the 93rd minute.

The victory restored confidence in Roma following their 1-1 draw with Turkish side Fenerbahçe in their opening Champions League league-phase match.

Torino, meanwhile, suffered their third defeat of the season and remained on three points, their only victory coming in a 2-1 away win over Fiorentina in the previous round. They sit 14th in the standings.