Serie A — Lautaro Martinez returns in style with a 5-2 win for Inter Milan

Inter Milan produced a ruthless attacking masterclass to dismantle AS Roma 5-2 at home on Sunday, consolidating their grip on the Serie A title as Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez led the charge in the defeat.

The win gave Inter a nine-point lead at the top of the table with 72 points ahead of Monday’s match between second-placed AC Milan and third-placed Napoli in Naples, with just seven rounds of the season remaining after that match. Roma is sixth with 54 points.

Inter took a 59-second lead when Thuram looked to fire the ball to Martinez, and although Gianluca Mancini’s header briefly brought Roma level, Hakan Calhanoglu restored the lead for the hosts in first-half stoppage time with a long-range strike.

Thuram and Martinez combined again early in the second half, with the Frenchman providing a pass for Martinez to complete his second-half sweep before Thuram headed home a corner minutes later. Nicolo Barella added a fifth for the hosts just after the hour, while Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled one back for the visitor.

MARTINEZ RETURNS

Inter captain Martinez marked his return from a muscle injury with a goal in his first league match since February as the hosts made a fast start.

Thuram broke the right side in the opening minute and squared for Martinez, who slipped away from his marker and guided a first-time finish into the roof of the net.

Inter dominated the early stages in search of a second goal, but Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar produced a string of saves to frustrate the home side.

Roma gradually grew into the match as Inter’s intensity dropped and came close to an equalizer, but Yann Sommer made a fine reflex save to tip away ‌Donyell Malen’s running header. The visitor was rewarded five minutes before half-time when Devyne Rensch’s high cross was headed in by an unmarked Gianluca Mancini to make it 1-1.

Inter regained the lead deep into first-half stoppage time through an excellent strike from Calhanoglu, who produced a long-range effort from around 35 yards that dipped under the crossbar.

The hosts resumed after the break with renewed urgency, restoring their two-goal cushion in the 55th minute, Thuram again being the provider after winning possession high up the pitch and threading a pass for Martinez to bring home his second goal.

Roma’s defensive errors were exposed again three minutes later when Thuram, unmarked at the near post, headed in from a corner to make it 4–1.

Defender Alessandro Bastoni received applause from the home fans when he was substituted just before the hour mark in a show of support following intense media criticism following his red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

With the match effectively settled, Barella added Inter’s fifth goal in the 63rd minute, before Pellegrini replied seven minutes later.

Published on April 6, 2026