Scott McTominay delivered a commanding midfield performance as Napoli twice came from behind to secure a pulsating 2-2 draw against league leaders Inter Milan in a high-stakes Serie A encounter. The result marked the fourth draw in the last five head-to-head meetings between these Italian heavyweights, underlining how evenly matched the rivalry has become.
Fast Start, Early Inter Breakthrough
Napoli began the contest brightly, pressing high and showing early intent, but their momentum was halted in the ninth minute. A risky pass from Stanislav Lobotka allowed Piotr Zieliński to pounce, launching a swift Inter move that ended with Marcus Thuram teeing up Federico Dimarco. The wing-back unleashed a thunderous strike that kissed the inside of the post before rippling the net.
Inter smelled blood and pushed forward with confidence. Lautaro Martínez and Hakan Çalhanoğlu both tested Napoli’s resolve, but Vanja Milinković-Savić kept the hosts in the contest with assured goalkeeping.
McTominay Steps Up for Napoli
Having weathered the storm, Napoli responded with quality. In the 26th minute, Matteo Politano’s low cross found Scott McTominay, who arrived ahead of his marker to fire home a composed first-time finish. The equaliser lifted the stadium and shifted the momentum.
McTominay was far from done. His relentless pressing nearly paid off again when he dispossessed Zieliński moments later, only for Yann Sommer to deny him. Inter regained their composure before halftime, creating further chances, but neither side could find a decisive edge before the break.
Second-Half Drama and Penalty Twist
Napoli came out strongly after the restart, carving out two clear chances within minutes, only to see them go begging. Inter gradually reasserted control, and the game took a dramatic turn in the 73rd minute when Amir Rrahmani conceded a penalty. The decision sparked furious protests, culminating in a red card for Napoli boss Antonio Conte.
Çalhanoğlu kept his nerve from the spot, firing in off the post to restore Inter’s lead and seemingly put them on course for another crucial victory.
McTominay the Hero Again
Just eight minutes later, Napoli struck back once more. Noa Lang guided Politano’s cross into a dangerous area, and McTominay reacted quickest to slam home his second goal of the afternoon. The equaliser capped a tireless display and sent the home fans into raptures.
Inter nearly snatched a late winner when Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s deflected effort struck the post in stoppage time, but Napoli held firm to earn a valuable point.
What the Result Means
The draw allows Napoli to reclaim third place in Serie A, extending their solid run of form, while Inter remains top of the table despite seeing their six-game winning streak come to an end. For Tanzanian football fans following Serie A closely, this match was a perfect showcase of elite European football—tactical battles, star performances, and late drama.
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