Inter Milan have won the first silverware of the Italian season.
They beat Juventus on Wednesday night to lift the Super Cup, the annual contest between the winners of the previous season’s League and Cup.
This was Simone Inzaghi's first trophy success as Inter manager, although he had won trophy twice previously against Juventus when he was in charge of Lazio.
Juventus, appearing in their tenth successive Super Cup, took lead in the first half through Weston McKennie, only for Lautaro Martinez to equalise from the penalty spot.
Inter’s Denzel Dumfries came close to winning the match in normal time when his header was tipped over the bar, but with the scores level, the match went into extra time.
With little to choose between the sides, it seemed destined to go to penalties. However, with almost the last kick of the match, former Manchester United player Matteo Darmian steered the ball into another former United and Arsenal player Alexis Sanchez, who fired home.
Sanchez’s career has stalled since leaving the Emirates for Old Trafford and then returning to Italy, but he seems to be rediscovering his best form once again.
It also proves that Inter seem to be doing fine without Antonio Conte (who is now at Tottenham), who had guided them to their first Serie A title in a decade last season, but left after the club’s Chinese owners demanded cost cuts.
Inzaghi was brought into replace Conte, but despite selling star striker Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea before the start of the season, they continue to prosper, with goals scored by almost every member of their squad.
They currently lead the table by a single point over city rivals AC Milan, and they have a game in hand. Juventus are languishing in fifth eleven points adrift, having played a game more.
Wednesday’s match was played at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Inter’s home ground. The capacity was limited to 50 per cent of its normal size due to Covid-19 restrictions. The match was a renewal of one of the great rivalries of Italian sport – The Derby d’Italia.