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Napoli Beat Inter 3-1 to Reclaim Serie A Lead as De Bruyne Exits Injured

Inter’s leadership publicly questioned the opening penalty after a fractious match.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Inter Milan - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 25, 2025 Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Inter Milan - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 25, 2025 Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne reacts as he is substituted after sustaining an injury while scoring their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Inter Milan - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 25, 2025 Napoli's Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and teammates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Ciro De Luca
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Inter Milan - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - October 25, 2025 Napoli's David Neres in action with Inter Milan's Manuel Akanji REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

Overview

  • Napoli rose to 18 points, one clear of AC Milan after Milan’s 2-2 draw with Pisa, while Inter’s seven-game winning run ended and they remain on 15.
  • Kevin De Bruyne converted a first-half penalty for 1-0 and immediately clutched his right thigh, later seen on crutches as he left the match for treatment.
  • Scott McTominay finished a rapid counter to make it 2-0 before Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty cut the deficit, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa restored a two-goal cushion on another break.
  • Inter president Giuseppe Marotta said the assistant-referee–initiated spot kick ‘shifted the balance’ and questioned why VAR did not send the referee to review the decision.
  • Touchline tensions flared as Antonio Conte was booked during exchanges with Inter players including Lautaro Martinez, and coach Cristian Chivu said his team wasted energy arguing with the Napoli bench.