INTER MILAN beat Cagliari 2-1 to move within one victory of its third Italian league title in a row.

Striker Julio Ricardo Cruz and defender Marco Materazzi scored at San Siro on Sunday and Inter stayed six points ahead of nearest challenger AS Roma, which outplayed Torino 4-1.

With three games to go, Inter will capture its 16th Serie A title by beating AC Milan on Sunday. Although Roma can still finish even on points, Inter has a better head-to-head record than Roma having won one of their meetings and tied the other.

Inter has 81 points in 35 games, Roma has 75 and third-place Juventus 70 after beating Lazio 5-2.

Cruz gave Inter a lead in the 22nd minute with his second goal in two games after failing to score since December and Materazzi’s header made it 2-0 in the 82nd. Davide Biondini’s reply for Cagliari in injury time was no more than consolation.

“We played a good game and created lots of chances,” Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. “I’m tired right now and will celebrate when we have three more points.”

Amantino Mancini scored twice in Roma’s victory over Torino and Giorgio Chiellini had two for Juventus. Alessandro Del Piero hit the target for Juve to maintain the pressure on national team coach Roberto Donadoni to select the veteran striker for the European Championship in June.

(SD-Agencies)