Inter and Napoli Serve Up a San Siro Classic

The headline clash of the round in Milan lived up to its billing, as Inter and Napoli played out a pulsating 2–2 draw that had everything. Under the lights at San Siro, this was a reminder of why the Serie A title race continues to captivate a global audience.
Inter made the perfect start, with Federico Dimarco opening the scoring inside nine minutes, firing the hosts ahead and setting the tone for a high-intensity encounter. Napoli, however, refused to be overawed. Before the break, Scott McTominay struck back, levelling the score and underlining his growing influence in midfield.
The second half was defined by controversy and emotion. A penalty was awarded to Inter after a foul on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a decision that sparked fury on the Napoli bench. Antonio Conte reacted angrily and was shown a red card, leaving his side without their head coach at a crucial moment.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu calmly converted from the spot to restore Inter’s lead, but the night belonged to McTominay. The former Manchester United midfielder was unstoppable, completing his brace to drag Napoli back into the contest and secure a vital point.
Late drama almost tipped the balance in favour of the hosts. Deep into stoppage time, Mkhitaryan came agonisingly close to a winner, but his effort crashed against the post, denying Cristian Chivu’s side a memorable victory.
2025-26, Italy - Serie A
Inter - Napoli 2:2 (1:1)
Goals: Dimarco, 9 (1:0); McTominay, 26 (1:1); Çalhanoğlu, 73 (penalty) (2:1); McTominay, 81 (2:2)
Inter: Sommer; Akanji; Bisseck; Dimarco (Carlos Augusto, 88); Bastoni; Zielinski P. (Mkhitaryan, 62); Çalhanoğlu (Sucic P., 87); Barella; Thuram M. (Pio Esposito, 83); Martínez L. (Bonny, 87); Luis Henrique T.L.
Substitution: Mkhitaryan (from 62); Pio Esposito (from 83); Sucic P. (from 87); Bonny (from 87); Carlos Augusto (from 88)
Bench: Calligaris; de Vrij; Acerbi; Cocchi; Frattesi; Diouf A.
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Juan Jesus; Rrahmani Am.; Di Lorenzo; Beukema (Lang N., 78); McTominay; Politano (Mazzocchi, 94); Spinazzola; Lobotka; Elmas; Höjlund R.
Substitution: Lang N. (from 78); Mazzocchi (from 94)
Bench: Meret; Contini N.; Gutiérrez M.; Buongiorno; Olivera M.; Marianucci; Vergara A.; Lucca L.; Ambrosino
Yellow Cards: Juan Jesus 92
