manaloplay Inter 3-1 Empoli, Serie A: Martinez Stunner Helps Hosts Keep Pace With Napoli

Lautaro Martinez celebrates his goal against Empoli Lautaro Martinez celebrates his goal against Empoli

Inter ensured they kept pace with Serie A leaders Napoli after surviving a late surge to beat Empoli 3-1 at the San Siro on Sunday. (More Football News)manaloplay

The result sees Simone Inzaghi's side move to within three points of Napoli, but have the luxury of a game in hand over the fellow Scudetto hopefuls. 

In a half that saw clear-cut chances hard to come by, Lautaro went closest to opening the scoring when he crashed a half-volley off the post in the 23rd minute. 

“The final was really intense; the Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the game and made it really difficult for us to create a clear goal scoring chance,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

Inter did make the breakthrough 10 minutes after the restart when Martinez curled a stunning effort that nestled into the top corner with the aid of a hand from Devis Vasquez. 

Denzel Dumfries then doubled the hosts' advantage from a corner, rising highest to meet Kristjan Asllani's outswinging delivery to put the Nerazzurri on the cusp of victory.

But Empoli threatened a nervy ending at the San Siro after Sebastiano Esposito gathered Liam Henderson's cross into the box and finished into the bottom left-hand corner.

Marcus Thuram, however, made sure of the result a minute from time, coming off the bench to power the ball home after combining with fellow substitute Marko Arnautovic. 

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Data Debrief: Martinez leads Inter charge

Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has been a sensation for Inter, with his current form breathing confidence throughout the squad that they can overhaul leaders Napoli from the summit. 

Martinez, who got Inter back into the contest, has now become the joint-highest scoring foreign player in Inter's Serie A history (111, level with Mauro Icardi). Only Stegano Nyers (133) has scored more for the Nerazzurri than the Argentine. 

Inter have scored 51 goals in their 20 league games this term, equalling their best total in terms of goals scored at this point of a league season since 1960, set in 2021-22.

In their last eight league games, Inzaghi's side have collected 22 points out of 24manaloplay, scoring 25 goals and conceding four, further proving their credentials for the title this year.