Lautaro Martinez propelled Inter Milan to a 3rd consecutive Italian Super Cup title after scoring within the last moments of Monday’s 1-0 victory over a livid Napoli in Riyadh.
The Argentina striker, Martinez, tucked away Benjamin Pavard’s low cross within the first minute of stoppage time at Al-Awwal Park, overcoming Napoli, who performed the ultimate half-hour with 10 males after Giovanni Simeone was despatched off for 2 bookable offenses.
Martinez’s profitable objective marked his twenty first tally in all competitions this season for Inter, who relinquished their Serie A result in Juventus whereas in Saudi Arabia for the four-team match.
He jubilantly eliminated his shirt in celebration after tying with Christian Vieri at ninth place in Inter’s all-time goalscoring charts, registering 123 strikes since his arrival in 2018.
“The emotion took over, and I couldn’t think,” Martinez instructed Mediaset. “It was a unique moment; I scored my 100th goal in the Italian Cup Final and my 123rd goal in the Super Cup, allowing me to match a legend like Christian Vieri.”
This 12 months’s version was the primary to undertake a four-team format however did not seize the creativeness of the Saudi public.
Organizers have been embarrassed when a piece of the group, reportedly locals and never touring Italians, whistled through the rapidly organized minute’s silence for the late former Italy striker Gigi Riva earlier than the second-half kickoff.
Riva, who handed away on Monday night, is Italy’s prime scorer with 35 objectives in 42 appearances and propelled Cagliari to their solely league title in 1970.
Martinez’s objective secured a record-breaking fifth Super Cup win in Inter coach Simone Inzaghi’s profession, reaching the feat for the third successive 12 months.
Inzaghi surpassed Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi, two icons of Italian teaching, for Super Cup victories.
The 47-year-old had beforehand gained it twice whereas managing Lazio, in 2017 and 2019.
His triumph made Inter the second crew to finish the hat-trick after native rivals AC Milan’s three consecutive victories between 1992 and 1994.
Inter captain Martinez and the crew took the trophy to the stands the place a gaggle of followers had traveled from Italy, handing it to supporters as they celebrated in victory.
However, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri performed no half within the trophy ceremony as he was furious on the sending-off of striker Simeone, who’s filling in for Victor Osimhen whereas he represents Nigeria within the Africa Cup of Nations.
Simeone was dismissed by Gianluca Rocchi within the sixtieth minute after stepping on Francesco Acerbi’s foot moments after receiving his first reserving for colliding with Hakan Calhanoğlu.
Mazzarri shouted “disgrace, disgrace” at officers earlier than storming off down the tunnel and refusing to talk to the media.
“The poor quality of referees this season… is there for all to see. I sat with Rocchi before the game and wondered what huge embarrassment he would have to deal with next,” mentioned Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Simeone shall be suspended for Sunday’s journey to Lazio, with the Italian champions sitting in ninth place in Serie A.
Source: www.dailysabah.com