Match analysis: Inter Milan pulverizes Lazio 6-0 (December 16, 2024)

Defending champions Inter Milan claimed a crushing 6-0 victory over Lazio in Serie A on Monday, scoring quick goals either side of halftime.

Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring for Inter from the penalty spot in the 41st minute, after a card for handball decision, and Federico Dimarco doubled the lead before the break with a fine volley.

Nicolo Barella made it 3-0 six minutes after the restart, followed two minutes later by a goal from Denzel Dumfries. Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram completed this offensive festival at the end of the match.

Inter thus remains in third place in the standings with 34 points in 15 matches, three lengths behind the leaders, Atalanta, with a game in hand. Lazio, meanwhile, are fifth with 31 points from 16 games.

Lazio dominated the first 30 minutes, but Inter defender Stefan de Vrij thought he opened the scoring on a rebound, a goal ultimately canceled for offside.

However, Inter were quickly awarded a penalty after a lengthy video check, which showed that defender Samuel Gigot had stopped the ball with his hand during Dumfries’ initial attempt on the same action.

Calhanoglu converted the penalty, and Inter gained confidence with Dimarco scoring inside the far post to quickly double their lead.

Lazio, who top the Europa League group, looked in shock after the break, and Barella increased Inter’s lead with a powerful shot that sailed over the bar, leaving Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel powerless.

Inter, who had suffered a late 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, quickly made it 4-0 thanks to Dumfries, who headed in a superb cross from Alessandro Bastoni.

Substitute Augusto then scored from close range in the 77th minute, shortly before Thuram dribbled past two defenders to add a sixth goal in the 90th minute.

With this performance, Inter equaled a club record with 47 away goals in Serie A for the year 2024.