In this method, during the same operating cycle of the cylinder, the following phases are carried out: an opening phase at the exhaust (OE-OF); a first opening phase at the intake (OA1-FA1); a second opening phase at the intake (OA2-FA2); a fuel injection phase (OI-FI) and a combustion phase. The exhaust closing time (FE) is between the first intake opening time (OA1) and the second intake opening time (OA2).The invention also relates to an internal-combustion engine having a cylinder which operates in accordance with such a method, and a motor vehicle provided with such an engine.