Inter Milan secured their place at the top of Serie A with a 3-0 victory against a resilient Cagliari on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez’s first goal since November 3, and a penalty converted by Hakan Calhanoglu. This win marks Inter’s fifth consecutive triumph in the league, propelling them past Atalanta on goal difference and extending their lead to two points ahead of third-place Napoli.
Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, deftly heading Nicolo Barella’s free-kick over goalkeeper Simone Scuffet. Meanwhile, Martinez broke his scoring drought by volleying home with just 19 minutes remaining, followed by Calhanoglu sending Scuffet the wrong way from the penalty spot seven minutes later after Mateusz Wieteska was penalized for handball inside the area.
This result leaves Cagliari in the relegation zone after suffering their fourth straight league loss, with 15th-placed Lecce only two points ahead of them.
Alessandro Bastoni’s looping header sneaks into the far post as Inter open the scoring ⚽
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Q2ACZ5FQ2a
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 28, 2024
With the three goals, Inter showed their dominance, while Cagliari struggled, despite having moments of potential. A notable opportunity was missed just before Martinez doubled Inter’s lead, when Cagliari’s Roberto Piccoli saw his effort bravely saved by Inter’s Yann Sommer.
During the first half, Martinez had a prime chance but managed to head a cross from Calhanoglu off the line in a glaring miss.
Çalhanoğlu powers home from the spot! 💥#CagliariInter 0-3 pic.twitter.com/IpHazU7N2b
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 28, 2024
Piccoli nearly gave Cagliari the lead shortly thereafter but was unable to capitalize, while Scuffet denied a fierce half-volley from Barella just before the half-time whistle.
Defender Yerry Mina, previously a threat for Inter, was forced to exit the match due to a calf issue and was replaced by Wieteska at the start of the second half.
Looking ahead, Atalanta could reclaim the top spot when they face fourth-placed Lazio, while Napoli is set to host second-bottom Venezia.
Sommer gets there first! 👏#CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/CDthsagEOl
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 28, 2024
Serie A results today: Genoa beat Empoli
In other Serie A action on Saturday, Genoa clinched a 2-1 victory against Empoli, with second-half goals from Milan Badelj and Caleb Ekuban helping them level on points with their opponents, now sitting in 12th place.
A penalty opportunity for Sebastiano Esposito, awarded after Badelj’s opening goal, went begging as he struck the woodwork, but he did manage to find the net 16 minutes from full-time, reducing the deficit in Empoli’s third consecutive one-goal loss.
PARMA HAVE SCORED IN THE FINAL SECONDS!!! 🚨🚨🚨#ParmaMonza 2-1 pic.twitter.com/ec1CwaIOtU
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 28, 2024
Italian football results: Parma edge past Monza
Parma secured a vital 2-1 home win against Monza in dramatic fashion, scoring in the 98th minute, thus creating a four-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Pablo Mari saw red for a second yellow card in new manager Salvatore Bocchetti’s inaugural match, allowing Hernani to convert the subsequent penalty. Despite Pedro Pereira equalizing for Monza just before the end of regular time, they were left disappointed as they remain five points adrift of safety.
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