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 Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations, Napoli's attack did not play well against Inter. The midfield of last season's Serie A champions was very mobile, but did not know how to finish when approaching the penalty area. Meanwhile, Inter dominated in every aspect. 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 the 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 second half, they observed a moment of silence in front of more than 24,000 spectators at KSU Stadium in Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi Arabian fans whistled and booed, angering many Italian fans present at the stadium.
When the match restarted, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia curled a shot past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. It was Napoli's only clear-cut chance, before Inter became alert and pressed again. The turning point of the match came in the 60th minute. Giovanni Simeone was booked for stamping on Francesco Acerbi's foot.
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 headed 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 races last season. Inter have won eight Italian Super Cups in total, just one short of Juventus' record.
Thanh Quy
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