Saudi Arabian player Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal in the 90+1 minute, helping Inter defeat Napoli 1-0 in the Italian Super Cup final on the evening of January 22nd.
Due to Victor Osimhen's absence from the Nigerian national team for the African Cup of Nations, Napoli's attack didn't perform particularly well against Inter. The midfield of last season's Serie A champions was very mobile, but lacked finishing ability when approaching the penalty area. Meanwhile, Inter dominated in every aspect. The reigning Champions League runners-up controlled 65% of the ball, had 14 shots, and had 10 more than Napoli.
Lautaro Martinez (left) celebrates a goal in the Italian Super Cup final, which Inter won 1-0 against Napoli on January 22nd at the KSU Stadium in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters
In the 38th minute, Napoli nearly conceded a goal. Lautaro tapped the ball into the net past goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, but the referee ruled Marcus Thuram offside and disallowed the goal.
Midway through the match, both teams received news that Italian football legend Gigi Riva had passed away at the age of 79. Before the start of the second half, they observed a minute of silence together in front of over 24,000 spectators at the KSU Stadium in Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabian fans booed and jeered, angering many Italian supporters present in the stadium.
When the game resumed, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia's curling shot was deflected by goalkeeper Yann Sommer. It was Napoli's only clear chance before Inter became alert and pressed back. The turning point came in the 60th minute. Giovanni Simeone received his second yellow card for a foul on Francesco Acerbi.
Playing with a man advantage, Inter relentlessly pressed in the final 30 minutes. With a bit more luck, Simone Inzaghi's team could have scored from Thuram's volleys, chances from Lautaro, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Marko Arnautovic. However, Inter eventually created the necessary breakthrough in the 90+1 minute.
After Alexis Sanchez passed down the right wing, Benjamin Pavard delivered a low cross for Lautaro to tap the ball into the middle of the net. The Argentinian captain scored his 21st goal in 27 appearances across all competitions for Inter this season. Immediately after Lautaro's goal, Napoli's coach, Walter Mazzarri, headed straight into the tunnel.
Lautaro lifts the Italian Super Cup with his teammates at the KSU Stadium in Saudi Arabia on the evening of January 22nd. Photo: Reuters .
Inter won their third consecutive Italian Super Cup. In the two previous seasons, Inzaghi's team beat Milan 3-0 and Juventus 2-1 in the title matches. Inter have won a total of eight Italian Super Cups, just one title short of Juventus' record.
Thanh Quy
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