Inter secure their third straight win across all competitions with goals from Lautaro Martinez and 18-year-old Pio Esposito.
Inter continued their strong run of form with a convincing 2-0 victory away to Cagliari, making it three consecutive wins between Serie A and the Champions League. Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring early before young striker Pio Esposito sealed the result late, netting his first-ever Serie A goal.
The Nerazzurri took control of the match from the start, showing authority and precision. It took just nine minutes for them to break the deadlock: Alessandro Bastoni delivered a perfect cross from the left, and Lautaro rose highest to head home, scoring his 12th goal in as many matches against Cagliari.
Cagliari suffered a further setback late in the first half when Andrea Belotti was forced off with a knee injury. Inter nearly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, but Hakan Calhanoglu’s strike hit the post.
The hosts came close to equalizing in the 73rd minute through Michael Folorunsho, whose header struck the woodwork, keeping Inter ahead. Just when it seemed the match was heading for a tense finish, Pio Esposito—who had come on for Marcus Thuram—found himself in the right place at the right time. In the 82nd minute, Federico Dimarco’s low cross found the teenager, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, sparking celebrations among the traveling fans.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan later hit the post as Inter chased a third goal, but the scoreline remained 2-0. The result keeps Inter on nine points and in strong form, while Cagliari will look to build on their improved second-half performance despite the defeat.
Match Report
Goals:
- 9’ Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
- 82’ Pio Esposito (Inter)
Cagliari (3-5-1-1): Caprile; Zè Pedro (57’ Felici), Mina, Luperto; Palestra, Adopo, Deiola (57’ Gaetano), Folorunsho (77’ Borrelli), Obert (77’ Idrissi); S. Esposito; Belotti (44’ Prati).
Coach: Pisacane
Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Akanji, De Vrij, Bastoni; Luis Henrique (72’ Dumfries), Barella (64’ Frattesi), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto (46’ Dimarco); Thuram (64’ Pio Esposito), Lautaro Martinez (89’ Bonny).
Coach: Chivu
Referee: Piccinini
Booked: Carlos Augusto (Inter), Barella (Inter)
Sent Off: None
