Monza 1-5 Inter Milan: Martinez, Calhanoglu grab braces as Inter run riot

Inter Milan outclassed Monza, winning 5-1 away in Serie A on Saturday with two goals each from Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez, moving them a provisional five points clear at the top following an exciting game that included three penalties.

Inter, who are on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the league, lead the table with 51 points from 20 games, ahead of second-placed Juventus, who face lowly Sassuolo on Tuesday.

Inter will face Lazio in Riyadh in the last four of the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Friday, after Napoli faces Fiorentina in the other semifinal on Thursday. The final is scheduled for January 22.

Inter got off to a quick start against Monza, with Calhanoglu scoring a low shot inside the post after being awarded a penalty for handball in the 12th minute.

Martinez, whose attempt had resulted in the penalty, appeared disappointed that he did not take it, but the Argentine doubled the lead two minutes later from close range.

Monza struggled to get out of their own half in the early going, but came close to scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Matteo Pessina nodded the ball home from a free kick, but the goal was called back for offside.

Inter continued to dominate after the break, with Calhanoglu scoring a third near the penalty spot on the hour mark following a neat back-heel from Marcus Thuram.

Pessina pulled one back for the home team in the 69th minute with a penalty, but Martinez made it 4-1 after 84 minutes with another penalty.

The Argentine, who scored twice in the reverse fixture in August, became the fourth player in the big five European leagues to score at least 20 goals in each of the last four seasons, joining Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane.

Martinez has 18 goals and two assists so far this season.

Thuram sealed the victory for the visitors two minutes from time with a brilliant cross from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Inter's next league match is at Fiorentina on January 28, after returning from Saudi Arabia.

Monza, who are 11th with 25 points from 20 games, will face relegation-threatened Empoli on January 21.

SportsLigue