Inter managed to break Torino in a dramatic Italian Cup clash, pulling ahead only during the stoppage breaks in the final moments of regulation. The match unfolded with tension and strategic bursts, setting the stage for an unexpected turn in the Cup race.
Nicolo Barella opened the scoring in the seventh minute, driving a sharp strike that found its mark and gave Inter an early lead. As the second half began, Juventus intensified their pressure under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri. Within minutes, they mounted a relentless attack, sending two balls past Samir Handanovic’s goal. Alvaro Morata and Dusan Vlahovic were the main threats during this burst of momentum, signifying Juventus’ intent to seize control of the encounter.
A pivotal moment arrived ten minutes before the full time whistle when Leonardo Bonucci committed a foul on Lautaro Martinez inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted with composure to level the score, sending the ball into the bottom corner and energizing Inter fans while tightening the Cup narrative.
With time winding down, neither side could crown a winner, and the match slid into a tense stalemate. Juventus saw their momentum checked further when their head coach was sent off in the 104th minute, a decision that also led to friction between Inter and Juventus officials, with a member of Inter’s coaching staff receiving a second yellow card.
The extra period brought a decisive moment. In the first half of extra time, Inter’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Perišić produced a sensational burst, scoring twice in three minutes, including a goal from the penalty spot, establishing a two-goal cushion and swinging the balance of the game in Inter’s favor.
The result crowned Inter Milan as the Italian Cup champion for the eighth time in the club’s history, marking a significant milestone for the team and its supporters who cherished the hard-fought victory.
In a separate reflection on past Italian football, former Italy coach Marcello Lippi discussed a controversial anecdote about how he forced actors to remove their shorts in front of cameras, a claim that adds a curious footnote to the larger football culture surrounding big matches and media coverage.