Inter Milan produced a breathtaking second-half comeback at San Siro on Saturday, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Napoli 3-2 in a dramatic Serie A encounter that had everything from attacking brilliance to late heartbreak.
For almost an hour, Napoli appeared to have the reigning champions exactly where they wanted them. But Inter found another gear after going 2-0 down, with Lautaro Martínez scoring twice and Marcus Thuram adding another as Cristian Chivu’s side completed a remarkable turnaround.
The first half ended goalless, but that did not mean it lacked entertainment. Both sides created opportunities, with Inter captain Lautaro Martínez testing Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret on more than one occasion. Federico Dimarco also came close from a free-kick, while Napoli threatened through Rasmus Højlund and Frank Anguissa.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes after the restart.
Napoli took advantage of a mistake in the Inter defence, with Matteo Politano reacting quickest after his initial effort was blocked before finding the net in the 50th minute.
The goal stunned the home crowd and gave Napoli the perfect platform.
Things became even worse for Inter just three minutes later.
Rasmus Højlund doubled Napoli’s advantage in the 53rd minute, receiving the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo before producing a composed finish from the edge of the area. The Danish striker’s finish gave Josep Martínez no chance and left Napoli 2-0 ahead.
At that stage, Napoli looked firmly in control.
But Inter refused to surrender.
Just three minutes after Højlund’s strike, Lautaro Martínez pulled one back.
The Inter captain reacted sharply inside the box, converting from close range after Federico Dimarco provided the crucial ball. The 56th-minute goal immediately changed the atmosphere inside San Siro and gave the home side belief that a comeback was possible.
Suddenly, Napoli were under pressure.
Chivu’s decision-making from the bench also became increasingly important as Inter pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Marcus Thuram, introduced at half-time, eventually delivered the moment the home supporters had been waiting for.
With eight minutes of normal time remaining, Thuram rose to meet a superb cross from Carlos Augusto and powered his header beyond Meret.
The 82nd-minute equaliser made it 2-2 and turned the final minutes into a frantic battle for the winning goal.
Napoli had watched a comfortable two-goal lead disappear.
Inter, meanwhile, sensed blood.
The pressure continued into stoppage time, and the decisive moment arrived in the 91st minute.
A loose ball dropped inside the Napoli penalty area following a corner, and Lautaro Martínez reacted quickest. The Argentine striker threw himself at the opportunity and bundled the ball into the net to complete his brace and send San Siro into wild celebrations.
From 2-0 down to 3-2 up, Inter had completed one of the most dramatic comebacks of the early Serie A season.
The victory was particularly significant for Inter because it preserved their perfect start to the league campaign. The Nerazzurri had now won all three of their opening Serie A matches and moved back to the top of the table with nine points.
For Lautaro, it was another reminder of why he remains the heartbeat of the Inter attack. His first goal gave the hosts hope, while his stoppage-time strike completed the comeback and turned him into the undisputed hero of the night.
Napoli, on the other hand, will be left wondering how they managed to walk away empty-handed after establishing such a commanding position.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side had Inter on the ropes at 2-0, but the reigning champions responded with the mentality of a team determined not to surrender their title ambitions.
The match also highlighted the importance of Inter’s attacking partnership. Thuram’s equaliser and Martínez’s brace gave the hosts the firepower they needed when the game appeared to be heading Napoli’s way.
In the end, it was more than just another three points for Inter.
It was a statement.
Two goals behind against one of their biggest Serie A rivals, Inter refused to panic. They kept attacking, kept believing and eventually turned a seemingly lost match into a spectacular 3-2 victory.
And when the final whistle arrived, it was Lautaro Martínez standing at the centre of the celebrations — the captain who had sparked the comeback and then delivered the knockout blow when Inter needed him most.
