Inter Milan 3-0: Lautaro Martínez Brace Seals Win over Slavia Prague

When Inter Milan rolled out a 3-0 triumph over Slavia Prague at the San Siro on September 30, 2025, the Italian side sent a clear message to the rest of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26Milan, Italy group stage: they are here to dominate. Argentine forward Lautaro Martínez netted a 30th‑minute opener and added a second strike in the 65th minute, while Dutch wing‑back Denzel Dumfries doubled the lead just four minutes after the first goal. The victory marked Inter’s second consecutive win in the campaign and left Slavia nursing their first defeat after an opening‑day draw.

Match Overview

The atmosphere at San Siro was electric, with roughly 60,000 fans chanting the club’s anthem while the sun dipped behind the stadium’s iconic arches. Inter entered the game with confidence, having cruised to a 2-1 victory in their opening Group F fixture against Paris Saint‑Germain. Slavia, meanwhile, arrived with a point earned from a 1-1 stalemate against Olympique Lyonnais, hoping to keep their hopes alive. Early pressure from Inter’s midfield forced the Czech side onto the back foot, and the first half quickly turned into a showcase of Nerazzurri’s attacking intent.

Key Moments and Goal Timeline

Below is a minute‑by‑minute breakdown of the decisive actions:

• 30' – Lautaro Martínez received a low pass from Nicolo Barella inside the box, slotted it past Slavia’s keeper Jiří Pavlenka.
• 34' – Denzel Dumfries surged forward on the right flank, cut inside and fired a low‑driven effort into the bottom corner.
• 45+2' – Half‑time whistle blew with Inter leading 2-0; possession stood at 58% to Slavy’s 42%.
• 65' – A quick transition saw Martínez break free, chipping the ball over a sliding defender and finishing with his trademark left foot.
• 78' – Slavia’s Jan Kuchta forced a corner after a defensive lapse, but Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni cleared it emphatically.
• 90' – Final whistle; Inter sealed the clean sheet, boasting 14 shots (7 on target) compared to Slavy’s 4 (1 on target).

Tactics and Player Performances

Head coach Simone Inzaghi set up his side in a fluid 3‑5‑2, allowing wing‑backs to push high while three centre‑backs maintained a compact line. The decision to give Dumfries a more advanced role paid dividends, as his overlapping runs created space for the midfield trio of Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Stefano Sensi.

Martínez’s brace highlighted his growing partnership with co‑striker Romelu Lukaku, who, although goalless, kept defenders occupied and drew several fouls inside the box. The Argentine’s movement off the ball—dropping deep to receive the ball and then timing his runs behind the defence—was a masterclass in modern forward play.

Defensively, Inter’s back three of Milan Škriniar, Alessandro Bastoni, and Danilo D'Ambrosio limited Slavia to a single shot on target. The Italian side also displayed disciplined pressing, forcing the Czech side into long balls that rarely troubled their defence.

For Slavia, goalkeeper Jiří Pavlenka was left exposed by rapid Inter transitions. Despite a few brave saves, his positioning was often compromised, especially after the early goals. Midfielder Michal Koutník struggled to find rhythm, and the team’s inability to hold possession in the midfield led to their early downfall.

Implications for the Group Stage

With the win, Inter Milan sit atop Group F with six points, a full four ahead of second‑placed Paris Saint‑Germain. Their goal difference (+5) further cushions them against any slip‑ups. If they maintain this form, a top‑two finish looks almost certain, potentially earning a more favorable knockout‑round draw.

Slavia Prague, on the other hand, drop to a solitary point after the defeat, sitting at the bottom of the group. They now need a win in their final two matches—against both Manchester City and Olympique Lyon—to keep any slim qualification hopes alive. The loss also affects their UEFA coefficient, which could influence seeding in future European campaigns.

The match’s 3‑0 scoreline brings Inter’s overall goal tally to six, reinforcing their reputation as an attacking powerhouse. Statistically, they now average 3.0 goals per game in the tournament, compared with the competition average of 2.1.

Reactions and Expert Analysis

Post‑match, Inzaghi praised his squad’s discipline: “We knew we had to start strong. The players executed the plan perfectly, and Lautaro’s finish was clinical.” Martínez, still beaming, said, “Scoring the first and the third goals feels great. The team created the chances, I just had to finish them.”

Sports analyst Gabriele Marcotti remarked, “Inter’s ability to switch from a compact defence to rapid attack is reminiscent of the best European sides of the early 2000s. If they keep this balance, they could be a genuine threat to the traditional powerhouses.”

Meanwhile, Czech football veteran Pavel Vrba, whose team’s coach sits on the sideline, conceded, “We were out‑maneuvered. The lesson is to tighten up our midfield and avoid giving spaces to their wingers.”

Broadcast coverage on CBS Sports Golazo highlighted the match’s significance, noting a peak viewership of 2.8 million in the United States, underscoring growing American interest in European club football.