Inter Milan got its first UEFA Champions League victory under Antonio Conte on Wednesday as it beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at San Siro.
Lautaro Martinez's goal midway through the first half and a late Antonio Candreva strike were enough to give the Nerazzurri its first win over a German opposition since March 2011.
The result moves Conte's side into second in Group F, level on four points with Borussia Dortmund but ahead on goal difference, with Barcelona three points clear at the top after its 2-1 win over Slavia Prague.
Inter's positive start yielded a breakthrough 22 minutes in, when Nico Schulz played Martinez onside from Stefan de Vrij's chip over the top, allowing the striker to finish low past Roman Burki.
Dortmund began to take control of possession without threatening a swift equaliser, although Samir Handanovic made a good stop low to his right to deny the returning Jadon Sancho just before half-time.
Julian Brandt had been ineffective as the centre-forward in the absence of Paco Alcacer, but he did bring a smart save out of Handanovic after working some space in the Inter box.
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The visitor was simply not doing enough in attack, though, and only a timely block from Manuel Akanji stopped Martinez from doubling Inter's lead on the break.
Sancho almost scrambled in an effort, but Marcelo Brozovic blocked and Candreva hacked the ball clear to preserve Inter's slender lead.
Mats Hummels brought down Sebastiano Esposito on the break but Martinez could not beat Burki from the spot.
Candreva made sure of no late drama, however, blasting past Burki after being played clean through by Brozovic.
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Anything but a win here would have left Inter up against it to qualify for the next round, so this was a welcome result for Conte, who continues to be questioned for his record in Europe given his domestic trophies.
The Inter boss will have been encouraged by his side's display here, especially in the first half, as it made an often-vibrant Dortmund attack look distinctly ordinary.
Candreva the key
Candreva deserved his goal - which he took in emphatic fashion - after an excellent all-round display that included a timely intervention when it looked like Sancho might equalise.
No real sign of Hazard
Thorgan Hazard rather summed up Dortmund's ineffective attack, creating next to nothing in his 84 minutes on the pitch.
What's next?
Inter, which heads to Dortmund on matchday four on November 5, hosts Parma in Serie A on Saturday. Dortmund will now prepare for the derby with Schalke on the same day.
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