Lautaro Martinez decides the Supercup final

Overshadowed by the death of Italian icon Gigi Riva, Inter won the Super Cup final in Riyadh against Napoli on Monday evening. Lautaro Martinez was the match winner for Milan.

22 January 2024

From: cst

The first half had begun in Riyadh when the... Report of Riva's death made the rounds. Italy's football association reacted promptly and scheduled a minute's silence for the half-time break. Before the professionals from Inter and Napoli began the second 45 minutes, they remembered Italy's record goalscorer, who died on Monday at the age of 79.

The game itself was short on highlights for a long time. Referee Antonio Rapuano took a pretty petty line, which earned Giovanni Simeone two yellow cards within 5 minutes (60'). A pretty tough decision, as a result of which the reigning champions Napoli retreated to the defensive. Because top striker Victor Oshiman is with Nigeria at the Africa Cup, Walter Mazzarri lacked options in attack.

Referee Rapuano shows Giovanni Simeone the red card. © APA/afp / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Inter, on the other hand, struck late through their superstar. Lautaro Martinez sank a cross from Benjamin Pavard in true striker fashion (90+1), after Napoli substitute goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini had previously made a brilliant save. In the end, Martinez's 123rd goal for Inter (overtaking Christian Vieri) was decisive and brought Inter the win of the Supercup.