Lautaro struck in the 91st minute on Tuesday (AEDT), just as it appeared as if Napoli would take the match to penalties despite having played for half an hour with 10 men after Giovanni Simeone was sent off for two yellow cards in the space of five minutes.
Lautaro tore off his jersey and raced the entire length of the field to celebrate in front of the Inter fans in Riyadh, followed by his joyous teammates.
It was Inter’s third straight Italian Super Cup victory although the first in its revamped format. It used to be a one-off match between the Serie A champions and the Italian Cup winners, but now includes the runners-up from both competitions.
The final ended up being between the two winners as Serie A champions Napoli beat Fiorentina in their semi-final, while Italian Cup winners Inter defeated Lazio.
Inter’s attention will now turn to more substantial matters, having fallen a point behind new Serie A leaders Juventus, who have played one match more because of the Nerazzurri’s time in Saudi Arabia.
Inter are also through to the Champions League last 16, where they will face Atletico Madrid.
Lautaro, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is also chasing the top goal scorer award in Serie A and leads with 18 in as many appearances.
Inter had the better first-half chances and Lautaro had a goal ruled out for offside.
Napoli improved after the break, but the match changed on the hour mark when Simeone was sent off after he received a second yellow card for a foul on Francesco Acerbi.
It was one of those nights for Marcus Thuram as the Inter forward had several golden opportunities but couldn’t find the target.
The Inter siege finally paid off when Alexis Sanchez sent Benjamin Pavard down the right and the defender cut it back for Lautaro to stroke a low shot into the back of the net.
An incensed Mazzarri immediately walked straight down the tunnel and also appeared to be absent from the trophy ceremony.
AAP
