International Champions Cup: Inter Milan edge past Chelsea despite Geoffrey Kondogbia's bizarre own goal

Singapore: Inter Milan’s Geoffrey Kondogbia entered the annals of sporting infamy with a remarkable own goal but the Italian side held on to win 2-1 and condemn Chelsea to a successive pre-season defeat on Saturday in Singapore. Inter led by two goals from Ivan Perisic and Stevan Jovetic, before what was supposed to be a routine backpass from substitute Kondogbia looped over his own goalkeeper and nestled into the top corner of the net from fully 40 yards, stunning the crowd of over 32,000. [caption id=“attachment_3871423” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Inter Milan’s team poses for photographers after defeating Chelsea in their International Champions Cup final in Singapore. AFP[/caption] The Frenchman’s embarrassing mishap overshadowed what had otherwise been an impressive performance by Inter, and in particular Manchester United target Perisic. The Croatian winger played a central role in the game and scored the Serie A side’s second goal in the 53rd minute, latching on to a pass from Jovetic before applying a smart finish. Inter dominated the early stages. In the first few minutes a defence-splitting Milan Skriniar pass found Antonio Candreva — reportedly a Chelsea transfer target — who forced Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a fingertip save. With the game going a bit flat, the English champions grew into their own. Big-money signing Alvaro Morata was quiet on his first start since moving from Real Madrid and it was Willian who had Chelsea’s first real chance with a deflected effort in the 27th minute, before David Luiz fizzed a freekick over. Inter found the breakthrough in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. A clipped through ball from Borja Valero was chested down by Jovetic, who went down easily under a Cesar Azpilicueta challenge, and was awarded a penalty. Jovetic’s first effort was saved but the striker slotted home the rebound. After Perisic’s second, Inter nearly made it 3-0 as he squared to substitute Joao Mario, only for the midfielder to shoot straight at Courtois. Kondogbia’s unfortunate intervention set up a nervy finish but Chelsea were unable to force the leveller. It was a second defeat on the spin for Chelsea after losing 3-2 to Bayern Munich in Singapore.