Internazionale 1-1 Napoli - Hakan Calhanoglu claims point for Inter as visitors consolidate top spot in Serie A

ByTNT Sports

Updated 21/03/2025 at 12:03 GMT

The highly anticipated Serie A showdown between Internazionale and Napoli resulted in a tense 1-1 draw at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday evening. Scott McTominay gave the league leaders the advantage early in the match, before Hakan Calhanoglu grabbed the equaliser for the hosts to ensure a point. The result saw Napoli consolidate top spot in the Serie A standings.

‘That is out of this world’ – Calhanoglu draws Inter level with thunderous strike

Video credit: TNT Sports

Napoli moved one point clear at the top of the Serie A table, holding reigning champions Internazionale to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Scott McTominay put Napoli ahead, before a rocket from Hakan Calhanoglu brought Inter level at the end of the first half. The Turkish midfielder spurned a glorious chance to win all three points in the second half, striking the woodwork from the penalty spot.
The Turkey international had scored all 19 of his previous penalties, including the winner from the spot against Arsenal in midweek, but was unable to capitalise this time round.
Calhanoglu sent the home crowd into a frenzy with an excellent equaliser at the end of the first half, launching a great strike into the top corner from just outside of the box.
McTominay had put the visitors ahead early in the first half, poking the ball past Yann Sommer after the ball was flicked into his path from a corner.
The Scotland international stunned the San Siro crowd and Inter, who seemed to improve after Napoli had taken the lead.
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McTominay finds corner with deft finish to give Napoli early lead over Inter

Video credit: TNT Sports

Simone Inzaghi’s side dominated an intense battle between two excellent sides, but sit fourth and one point behind Napoli going into the international break.
Napoli stay at the top of the league and a point above every team from second to fifth place, who have all amassed 25 points from the opening 12 games.

Talking Point – Napoli still lead Serie A title race

Antonio Conte’s side go into the international break at the top of the table after a gritty draw.
Napoli made themselves hard to break down and continued their excellent start to the season, picking up 26 points from a possible 36.
Despite Napoli’s success so far, four teams remain in hot pursuit, with Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter and Lazio all sitting on 25 points.
It looks like the title could be anyone’s come the end of the season.
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Conte dà disposizioni ai suoi durante Inter-Napoli - Serie A 2024/2025

Image credit: Getty Images

Player of the match - Francesco Acerbi (Inter)

The experienced defender barely put a foot wrong against one of the league’s best strikers in Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker was not able to impact the game at all, as he continued to lose tussle after tussle against the excellent Acerbi.
Inter have struggled defensively this season compared to last, but they defended well against an in-form Napoli side.

Player Ratings

Inter: Sommer 6, Pavard 6, Acerbi 9, Bastoni 6, Dumfries 5, Barella 6, Calhanoglu 6, Mkhitaryan 5, Di Marco 4, Thuram 3, Martinez 4. Subs: Darmian 5, Zielinski 5, Taremi 4, De Vrij N/A, Arnautovic N/A.
Napoli: Meret 6, Di Lorenzo 5, Rrahmani 7, Buongiorno 7, Olivera 6, Anguissa 6, Gilmour 4, McTominay 8, Politano 6, Lukaku 3, Kvaratskhelia 5. Subs: Lobotka 6, Simeone 4, Ngonge 6.

Match Highlights

23’ NAPOLI GOAL! INTER 0-1 NAPOLI (MCTOMINAY)
Wow, wow, wow! The crowd are stunned as McTominay puts the visitors ahead. The ball is flicked on from a corner and the former United midfielder latches on to the ball and pokes home past Sommer.
37’ NAPOLI CHANCE. INTER 0-1 NAPOLI
Napoli are almost two ahead! Lukaku picks up the ball and charges at the Inter defence, before playing the ball through to Kvaratskhelia, but Acerbi makes a great tackle as the Georgia international went to strike the ball.
43’ INTER GOAL! INTER 1-1 NAPOLI (CALHANOGLU)
What a strike from the Turkish talisman! Gilmour is slow to close down Calhanoglu just outside the box and the midfielder unleashes a powerful strike that flies into the top corner.
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‘That is out of this world’ – Calhanoglu draws Inter level with thunderous strike

Video credit: TNT Sports

52’INTER STRIKE THE POST! INTER 1-1 NAPOLI
Di Marco hits the post with an excellent low strike from the edge of the box. Inter are really starting to gain momentum here.
72’ INTER PENALTY! INTER 1-1 NAPOLI
Dumfries is brought down in the box by Anguissa and the referee points to the spot immediately. The visiting side are absolutely furious with the decision as VAR takes a look, but it does seem that Dumfries was caught by the Napoli midfielder.
74’ MISSED PENALTY! INTER 1-1 NAPOLI
Wow! Calhanoglu misses his first penalty for Inter. The Turkish midfielder had scored all 19 of his previous penalties for the hosts, but his effort this time struck the post and came back out.
90+4’HUGE NAPOLI CHANCE! INTER 1-1 NAPOLI
Napoli nearly win it at the death! Ngonge picks out Simeone in the area, but he fires just wide! He should have done better there.

Key Stat

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