Inter Rout Cagliari to Extend Serie A Lead to 12 Points

The home side puzzled over their failure to score within the initial 20 minutes.

Inter launched a swift counter that saw Marcus Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito combine effectively, resulting in a delivery across the goalmouth to Federico Dimarco, yet his effort from close range was bravely stopped on the line by Michel Adopo.

The opening period proved tough for Cristian Chivu's squad, facing a sturdy Cagliari backline. As the interval approached, a superb initial touch by Inter's Esposito positioned him perfectly to give his side the lead, only for Cagliari keeper Elia Caprile to pull off a fine stop.

Chivu's halftime words evidently motivated his players, who dominated the second half and secured a comfortable win.

Thuram opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, coolly finishing after a precise assist from Dimarco.

As the ecstatic fans continued celebrating the Frenchman's 11th league strike, just four minutes on, Nicolo Barella unleashed a powerful shot beyond Caprile to make it two for Inter.

This strike seemed to deflate Cagliari entirely, and with the game effectively decided, Piotr Zielinski capped things off with a brilliant late effort for a third goal.

This result gives Inter three straight victories, placing them close to the Scudetto. Next up, the Nerazzurri switch focus to the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against Como at home on Tuesday.

Cagliari stay in 16th position, holding a six-point buffer from the drop zone as the season nears its end.