Lautaro Martinez scores SCREAMER from outside the box as Inter Milan chase down Napoli in Serie A

Inter Milan skipper Lautaro Martinez scored a spectacular goal from near the edge of the penalty box in a close 1-0 win over AS Roma.

Lautaro Martinez scores SCREAMER from outside the box as Inter Milan chase down Napoli in Serie A

Lautaro Martinez scored the winner for Inter Milan, in a 1-0 win over AS Roma. (via X)

Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez scored a spectacular goal for Inter Milan in a crucial 1-0 victory over rivals AS Roma. The 27-year-old Inter skipper lashed home his fourth goal of the new season, accelerating a rather slow start to the campaign.

Inter Milan faced a resilient Roma side, who are currently struggling to push for the top four places in the Serie A table under newly appointed manager, Ivan Juric. The home side held the defending Italian champions 0-0 until the hour mark, before Lautaro Martinez struck home a brilliant goal from just near the edge of the penalty box.

YouTube video

The win helped the visitors move back to within two points behind Serie A table-toppers Napoli. Inter currently have 17 points from eight matches, while Napoli has 19 points.

FS Video

Meanwhile, it marked the Argentinian star’s fourth goal of the season, as he won the Player of the Match award. It has been a rather slow start for the Inter skipper, who has experienced a long goal drought.

An absence of sharpness was evident in Martinez’ performances over the last few matches, due to the lack of a proper pre-season. He is now expected to jump back into form. The 27-year-old equaled Istvan Nyers record on the occasion for being the highest foreign goal-scorer in Inter Milan history, with 133 goals.

It remains to be seen how well Lautaro and his team do, ahead of their next Serie A encounter against Juventus. However, the team will be without two of their primary players, Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi, as they were forced off with injuries against Roma.

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Lautaro Martinez is ‘proud of’ making it to the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist

Inter Milan skipper Lautaro Martinez was left delighted after scoring the winner against Roma. The 27-year-old forward, who has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, also spoke out on making it to the 30-man shortlist for the coveted individual award.

Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan
Inter Milan skipper Lautaro Martinez expressed pride, following 2024 Ballon d’Or nomination. (via Football Italia)

The Argentinian forward, after becoming the most-prolific international forward in Inter’s history, exclaimed that the honor of playing for the club meant a lot to him, while also pointing to the love that he had received since his arrival. Speaking on his Ballon d’Or nomination, Lautaro noted that individual awards also matter a lot, alongside team titles.

I always work hard to help the team, but individual awards mean a lot too, as they show you are working well. I focus on the team first, then if I get an individual award…

Lautaro Martinez on Ballon d’Or nomination (H/T Football Italia)
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Lautaro will be one of the front-runners to win the award this year, having scored 27 goals for Inter, and eight goals for Argentina last season. He was pivotal in Argentina’s 2024 Copa America victory, while also leading Inter to the Serie A title.