In a dramatic and emotionally charged Serie A encounter, SSC Napoli reclaimed the top spot in the league with a resounding 3-1 victory over rivals Inter Milan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The win solidified Napoli’s reputation as serious title contenders and marked another significant milestone in what has been a stellar season.

It was a match defined by intensity from the start. Inter Milan showed early signs of threat, with Alessandro Bastoni’s header and a sharp save denying Lautaro Martinez indicating their intent. However, the game’s turning point arrived when Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Giovanni Di Lorenzo inside the penalty area, prompting a VAR review and awarding Napoli a penalty. Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to convert the spot-kick, though he suffered an injury during the process and was substituted shortly after.

Inter responded with vigor, striking the woodwork twice before halftime through Bastoni's header and a powerful shot from Denzel Dumfries, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Yet, Napoli’s tactical discipline and attacking efficiency were the deciding factors. In the second half, Scott McTominay extended their lead with a composed finish after a well-timed pass from Leonardo Spinazzola.

Inter finally got on the scoresheet through Hakan Calhanoglu, who converted a penalty after a controversial VAR call. Alessandro Buongiorno was adjudged to have handled the ball, handing the Nerazzurri a lifeline. However, Napoli quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Frank Anguissa embarked on a solo run and unleashed a thunderous strike that found the bottom corner.

Tensions erupted late in the game, with reports suggesting a heated exchange between Antonio Conte and Lautaro Martinez. Nevertheless, Napoli's organization and defensive resilience saw them see out the victory.

The match statistics reinforced Napoli’s dominance. They converted all three of their shots on target, registering 1.25 expected goals from seven attempts. Inter, by contrast, managed 1.86 expected goals from fifteen shots, highlighting Napoli's clinical finishing and defensive precision. The win also extended Napoli’s impressive home record—they remain unbeaten at home in Serie A since December 2024 and have won 12 of their last 15 home league games.

This performance not only marked the second consecutive year that Napoli have won their opening four home games in Serie A—a feat last achieved in the 1965-66 and 1966-67 seasons—but also reinforced their emergence as formidable champions in the making.