Reigning champions Inter Milan surged to a 6-0 triumph against Lazio in Serie A on Monday, scoring rapid goals on either side of halftime in a dazzling performance that silenced the Stadio Olimpico.
Inter delivered a masterclass to dismantle Lazio, with Hakan Calhanoglu breaking the deadlock through a 41st-minute penalty, while Federico Dimarco extended the lead to 2-0 before halftime with a volley.
Nicolo Barella slotted home for 3-0 just six minutes into the second half, before Denzel Dumfries added a fourth two minutes later. Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram completed the demolition late in the match.
Inter remain third with 34 points from 15 matches, trailing leaders Atalanta by three points with a game still in hand. Lazio, who overcame second-placed Napoli previously, endured their second defeat in three league games and now sit fifth with 31 points from 16 matches.
Lazio had been the better side during the first 30 minutes, although Inter defender Stefan de Vrij believed he had opened the scoring with a rebound, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside.
However, Inter were awarded a penalty minutes later after an extended VAR check revealed defender Samuel Gigot had blocked the ball with his arm from Dumfries’ initial shot during the same sequence.
Calhanoglu confidently converted to hand the visitors the advantage, and Inter’s momentum grew, with Dimarco curling his shot inside the far post to swiftly double their lead.
Lazio, who currently top their Europa League group, appeared stunned after halftime, and Barella extended Inter’s lead with a fierce strike that sailed just under the crossbar, leaving Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel completely helpless.
Inter, who suffered a stoppage-time 1-0 loss against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last Tuesday, quickly made it 4-0 as Dumfries rose high to head in a stunning cross from Alessandro Bastoni.
Substitute Carlos Augusto then found the net from close range in the 77th minute, shortly before Thuram dribbled past two defenders to score a sixth goal in the final minute of regulation time.
Inter now have 47 goals in away games in Serie A in 2024, setting a club record for most away goals scored in a single calendar year in Italy’s top division.