Recoba opened the scoring just before the interval with a superb solo effort. Christian Vieri pushed the ball into Recoba's path but the Uruguayan was still deep inside his own half.
He carried the ball confidently forward, dribbled past the last defender then sublimely slotted his shot past the onrushing keeper.
The second goal came in the 68th minute. Clarence Seedorf powered in a shot that Antonio Chimenti could only parry and Recoba fired the loose ball into the open goal.
But whilst tomorrow's headlines will go to Recoba, the real Inter hero was keeper Francesco Toldo. The Italian international had already denied Lecce with a hat-trick of world-class saves when 15 minutes from time he turned away a Davor Vugrinec penalty.
Vugrinec was not to denied though and he blotted Toldo's copybook with an injury time consolation goal.
Juventus remain a point off the leaders thanks to Pavel Nedved. The Czech international midfielder's 39th minute goal was enough to see off Verona at the Stadio Delle Alpi.
Andres Yllana earned Brescia a point with a last minute penalty against Lazio. The midfielder cancelled out Hernan Crespo's 56th minute opener.
Milan picked up a vital three points courtesy of a 2-1 home triumph over Torino, thanks to Massimo Ambrosini's 79th minute winner.
Kakha Kaladze had earlied fired Milan ahead on 51 minutes before Marco Ferrante equalised from the penalty spot midway through the second period.
1-1 was also the final score at Fiorentina where Bologna's hopes of grabbing the fourth Champions League spot suffered a minor setback. Ezequiel Gonzalez put the Viola ahead in the 45th minute but Julio Cruz levelled for the visitors after 61 minutes.
Eugenio Corini scored at both ends as Chievo and Venezia finished 1-1 at the Bentegodi Stadium. Corini put through his net after 7 minutes but the talented midfielder righted his wrong when he smashed home a 63rd minute penalty.
Zisis Vryzas and Fabio Bazzani scored the home team's goals as Perugia beat Parma 2-1. Emiliano Bonazzoli replied for Parma.
Carmine Gautieri put Piacenza ahead at Udinese but Roberto Muzzi earned his side a point with a late equaliser. Piacenza finished with just ten men after Francesco Statuto was dismissed in the 53rd minute.
Click below for an individual match summary:
Brescia 1-1 Lazio
Chievo 1-1 Venezia
Fiorentina 1-1 Bologna
Juventus 1-0 Verona
Lecce 1-2 Internazionale
Milan 2-1 Torino
Perugia 2-1 Parma
Udinese 1-1 Piacenza
