Inter cruise past Union Saint-Gilloise with another dominant Champions League display. Dumfries opens the scoring, Lautaro doubles the lead, Calhanoglu adds a penalty, and young Pio Esposito nets his first ever European goal.
After a shaky start in Brussels, Inter found their rhythm and dismantled Union Saint-Gilloise 4–0 to maintain a perfect record in the Champions League group stage. Chivu’s men are now top of the table, level on points with PSG and Arsenal, and once again look like one of the most balanced sides in Europe.
The Belgian hosts came out flying, creating three clear chances in the opening five minutes, but Yann Sommer’s reflexes and a goal-line clearance from Lautaro Martínez kept the Nerazzurri level. Once Inter absorbed the early pressure, their experience and precision took over.
Denzel Dumfries broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after a corner. Just before halftime, Lautaro doubled the lead with a stunning right-foot strike into the top corner after a clever assist from 19-year-old Pio Esposito.
Early in the second half, VAR caught a clear handball from Mac Allister in the box. Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up and coolly slotted home from the spot to make it 3–0. Inter then managed the game with maturity, before Pio Esposito capped off a memorable night — scoring his first-ever Champions League goal from close range after a perfect cross by Bonny.
It was a statement win for Chivu’s Inter: solid at the back, clinical up front, and showing the kind of depth that could carry them deep into the tournament once again.
Match Report
Union Saint-Gilloise 0–4 Inter
Scorers: 41’ Dumfries, 45+1’ Lautaro Martínez, 53’ (pen.) Calhanoglu, 76’ Pio Esposito
Union Saint-Gilloise (3-5-2): Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Khalaili, Zorgane (84′ Schoofs), Rasmussen (61′ Giger), Van de Perre, Niang (75′ Patris); David (61′ Rodriguez), Ait El Hadj.
Coach: Hubert
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij (46′ Akanji), Bastoni (59′ Dimarco); Dumfries (77′ Luis Henrique), Frattesi, Calhanoglu (59′ Sucic), Zielinski, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martínez (59′ Bonny), Pio Esposito.
Coach: Chivu
Referee: Nyberg
Bookings: 31′ De Vrij, 88′ Schoofs
