Napoli 1 – 1 Internazionale
A last-minute goal from Philip Billing saved Napoli from defeat.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martínez initially parried a left-footed shot, but the rebound fell to Billing, whose weak right-footed attempt somehow found the back of the net. That dramatic equalizer ensured Napoli avoided a home loss.
The Serie A clash at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Federico Dimarco gave Inter the lead in the first half with a stunning free kick. Napoli responded in the dying moments with Billing’s goal to secure a point.
Inter remains at the top of the table with 58 points from 27 matches, boasting 17 wins and seven draws. Meanwhile, Napoli, who suffered a defeat to Como in the previous round, sits second with 57 points.
Napoli Dominates But Fails to Capitalize
Napoli controlled the game in almost every aspect. The hosts enjoyed over 62% possession and took 18 shots, four of which were on target. Inter, on the other hand, managed only six attempts, with just one hitting the target—and that was Dimarco’s goal.
The action-packed contest saw Inter take the lead in the 22nd minute. Italian defender Dimarco fired a powerful free kick into the net, marking Inter’s first direct free-kick goal in Serie A since November 9, 2022, when he also scored against Bologna.
Napoli had several chances to equalize. In the 32nd minute, Giacomo Raspadori attempted a bicycle kick, but Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni made a crucial block. Two minutes later, Romelu Lukaku’s volley hit the side netting.
The biggest missed opportunity came in the 35th minute. Amir Rrahmani delivered a brilliant through ball to Raspadori, who dribbled past the goalkeeper, but a poor touch sent the ball out of play, squandering a golden chance.
In stoppage time of the first half, Dimarco almost doubled Inter’s lead, but his shot deflected off Alessandro Buongiorno and went wide.
Late Drama as Napoli Salvages a Draw
Napoli started the second half with relentless attacking pressure, pinning Inter’s defense deep. However, they struggled to test Martínez properly.
In the 65th minute, after a corner, Scott McTominay unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, marking Napoli’s first shot on target.
The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute. Stanislav Lobotka set up Billing, who unleashed a close-range shot. Martínez made a brilliant save but pushed the ball straight back toward Billing, who adjusted his position and slotted home with his right foot. Napoli erupted in celebration, treating the draw as a hard-fought victory.
The hosts pushed forward aggressively in the final minutes, desperate for a winner, but Martínez stood firm, denying any further goals.
