Inter 3-2 Napoli: Martinez completes stunning San Siro comeback

A tight and goalless opening 45 minutes saw both teams create openings without finding the net. Napoli then struck with clinical efficiency early in the second half, scoring twice in the space of three minutes. Matteo Politano put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute, reacting sharply to drive the ball into the bottom corner after his first shot had been blocked. Three minutes later the lead was doubled in unusual circumstances. Inter’s defence appeared to switch off, assuming a loose ball was heading out of play for a throw-in. Giovanni Di Lorenzo kept it in and squared for Rasmus Hojlund, who curled a precise finish past the goalkeeper into the far corner.

The San Siro fell silent, yet Inter refused to fold. Within three minutes of going two goals down, Federico Dimarco recovered superbly and delivered a cut-back that Martinez stabbed home from close range to reduce the deficit. The Argentine’s first league goal of the season transformed the atmosphere and the momentum.

Marcus Thuram went close when a header struck the post, but the French striker made no mistake with eight minutes remaining. Rising to meet Carlos Augusto’s cross, he powered a header into the right-hand corner to draw Inter level and send the home crowd into delirium.

As the match entered stoppage time, Napoli failed to clear a corner. Manuel Akanji kept the ball alive in a crowded penalty area and Martinez reacted quickest, bundling it over the line from a couple of yards to complete the turnaround. The goal was Martinez’s second of the evening and his 134th for the club, sealing a third consecutive league win and preserving Inter’s perfect start to the season at the top of the table.

For Napoli and coach Massimiliano Allegri, making his return to San Siro for the first time since leaving AC Milan, the result represented a second successive defeat and a harsh reminder of the need for concentration. Although the visitors remained dangerous on the break and created late opportunities, they could not withstand Inter’s relentless late pressure.

This five-goal thriller will be remembered as one of the most dramatic encounters of the early Serie A campaign and further evidence of why Inter remain the side to beat.

Reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan staged a remarkable second-half recovery to beat Napoli 3-2 at San Siro, with captain Lautaro Martinez scoring twice, the second a stoppage-time winner that ignited wild celebrations among the home supporters.

A tight and goalless opening 45 minutes saw both teams create openings without finding the net. Napoli then struck with clinical efficiency early in the second half, scoring twice in the space of three minutes. Matteo Politano put the visitors ahead in the 50th minute, reacting sharply to drive the ball into the bottom corner after his first shot had been blocked. Three minutes later the lead was doubled in unusual circumstances. Inter’s defence appeared to switch off, assuming a loose ball was heading out of play for a throw-in. Giovanni Di Lorenzo kept it in and squared for Rasmus Hojlund, who curled a precise finish past the goalkeeper into the far corner.

The San Siro fell silent, yet Inter refused to fold. Within three minutes of going two goals down, Federico Dimarco recovered superbly and delivered a cut-back that Martinez stabbed home from close range to reduce the deficit. The Argentine’s first league goal of the season transformed the atmosphere and the momentum.

Marcus Thuram went close when a header struck the post, but the French striker made no mistake with eight minutes remaining. Rising to meet Carlos Augusto’s cross, he powered a header into the right-hand corner to draw Inter level and send the home crowd into delirium.

As the match entered stoppage time, Napoli failed to clear a corner. Manuel Akanji kept the ball alive in a crowded penalty area and Martinez reacted quickest, bundling it over the line from a couple of yards to complete the turnaround. The goal was Martinez’s second of the evening and his 134th for the club, sealing a third consecutive league win and preserving Inter’s perfect start to the season at the top of the table.

For Napoli and coach Massimiliano Allegri, making his return to San Siro for the first time since leaving AC Milan, the result represented a second successive defeat and a harsh reminder of the need for concentration. Although the visitors remained dangerous on the break and created late opportunities, they could not withstand Inter’s relentless late pressure.

This five-goal thriller will be remembered as one of the most dramatic encounters of the early Serie A campaign and further evidence of why Inter remain the side to beat.