He was just inches away
It’s the sort of thing that you try on FIFA, shooting from the halfway line. Maybe in a seven-a-side match with your pals after work, but in a professional, competitive league match? Never. Unless you’re Mauro Icardi.
The Inter Milan captain attempted an audacious half-way line shot with the first kick of the game against Napoli tonight, and was inches away from scoring, as it crashed against the crossbar, giving David Ospina a scare.
| 👀 |
Mauro Icardi went close for Inter with the very first touch of the game… worth a dig 🤷♂️
Watch #InterNapoli 👇 pic.twitter.com/JDcdrabIns
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) December 26, 2018
The game was a stalemate until the final minute, when Lautaro Martinez scored a late winner for the hosts, allowing them to make ground on Napoli, who remain in second place by a five goal cushion.
| GOOOOOAL! |
Inter Milan have won it at the death! ⚫️🔵
Lautaro Martinez is their #BoxingDay hero 🙌#SerieA pic.twitter.com/yXoxbbSkFU
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) December 26, 2018
Inter were given a helping hand when Kalidou Koulibaly was given his marching orders after bringing down Matteo Politano on the half-way line.
| RED CARD |
Two yellows in a matter of seconds for Kalidou Koulibaly means Napoli are down to 10 men with less than 10 minutes to play!
Can they hold on for a point? pic.twitter.com/bmGdCyb85x
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) December 26, 2018
Inter sit in third, while Juventus top the table and remain undefeated, having dropped just four points all season. One of their two draws came this afternoon, when Atalanta drew 2-2 against a 10-man Juve side.