Inter Milan defeated Napoli in the final of the Italian Cup. This is their 3rd third straight Italian Super Cup. Lautaro Martinez’s last-minute goal earned Inter Milan a dramatic 1-0 win over Napoli. The victory also gave Inter its eighth Supercoppa title, trailing only Juventus’ record of nine. The match at Al-Awwal Park was the inaugural final in the four-team Super Cup format, featuring the Italian league and cup champions and runners-up.
Martinez’s winner came in stoppage time, when Benjamin Pavard made a superb solo run and crossed from the right, finding the Argentine striker in the six-yard box for a straightforward finish. The 26-year-old’s winning strike, which was his 21st goal this season in all competitions, saw off Napoli, who were down to 10 men after the dismissal of striker Giovanni Simeone due to two yellow card offences.
Martinez equalled former Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri’s record to become the club’s eighth all-time leading scorer. Since joining the Nerazzurri in 2018, the Argentine forward has scored 123 goals. The 47-year-old coach also won it twice while managing Lazio, in 2017 and 2019. His victory with Inter, the second team to complete the hat-trick after local rivals AC Milan’s string of three victories between 1992 and 1994.
I am very proud and happy: Lautaro Martinez
Speaking after the match, Martinez said, “I am very proud and happy. We were eliminated from the Italian Cup, so we wanted to win the Super Cup. It was tough, we had a day’s less rest, and we were not sharp, but I am proud of this team. The goal was a great emotion, a unique moment.”
After the game Inter’s coach said, “We must congratulate Napoli, they played a great game. We played a semifinal three days ago and then a final today, it was something new for everyone. We kept our focus high.”
De Laurentiis explained, “The inadequacy of the referees this year speaks for itself,” We were here to promote our football and put on a show, but if you leave me with ten men there is no show. Furthermore, yellow cards and expulsions will be paid in the championship, a further distortion.”
