Lautaro helps Inter win the Italian Super Cup

Saudi Arabia's Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal in the 90+1 minute, helping Inter beat Napoli 1-0 in the Italian Super Cup final on the evening of January 22.

With Victor Osimhen having to join the Nigerian national team for the African Cup of Nations, Napoli’s attack did not play very well against Inter. The midfield of the Serie A champions last season was very mobile, but did not know how to finish when approaching the penalty area. Meanwhile, Inter dominated in all aspects. The current Champions League runners-up had 65% possession, 14 shots, 10 more than Napoli.

Lautaro Martinez (left) celebrates scoring in the Italian Super Cup final, Inter beat Napoli 1-0 on the evening of January 22, at KSU Stadium, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters

In the 38th minute, Napoli almost conceded a goal. Lautaro put the ball past goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, but the referee called for offside against creator Marcus Thuram and disallowed the goal.

In the middle of 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 moment of silence in front of more than 24,000 spectators at KSU Stadium, Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabian fans whistled and booed, angering many Italian fans in the stadium.

When the game restarted, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia curled the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. It was Napoli's only clear-cut chance, before Inter became alert and pressed back. The turning point of the game came in the 60th minute when Giovanni Simeone was shown a second yellow card for stamping on Francesco Acerbi.

Playing with more players, Inter continuously pressed the field in the last 30 minutes. If they had been luckier, coach Simone Inzaghi's team could have scored from Thuram's volleys, and chances from Lautaro, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marko Arnautovic. However, Inter finally created the necessary breakthrough in the 90+1 minute.

After Alexis Sanchez passed down the right wing, Benjamin Pavard crossed for Lautaro to tap the ball into the middle of the goal. The Argentine captain scored his 21st goal in 27 games in all competitions for Inter this season. Immediately after Lautaro's goal, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri went straight down the tunnel.

Lautaro lifted the Italian Super Cup with his teammates at KSU Stadium, Saudi Arabia on the evening of January 22. Photo: Reuters

Inter won their third consecutive Italian Super Cup. Inzaghi's side beat Milan 3-0 and Juventus 2-1 in the title matches two seasons ago. Inter have now won eight Italian Super Cups, just one short of Juventus' record.

Thanh Quy

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