Bolatito Mercy
Inter Milan capped a dominant 2025-26 season by beating Lazio 2-0 in the Coppa Italia final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026, securing the domestic double for the first time in 16 years. The victory followed their Serie A triumph, which they clinched with three games to spare, and marked the club’s 10th Italian Cup title. It was also Inter’s first double since José Mourinho’s treble-winning side in 2010.
The final was effectively decided in the first half, with Lazio gifting Inter both goals through defensive mistakes. In the 14th minute, Federico Dimarco whipped in a corner from the right and defender Adam Marusic misjudged the flight, heading the ball into his own net. Ten minutes before halftime, Nuno Tavares lost possession deep in his own half under pressure from Denzel Dumfries, allowing Marcus Thuram to roll the ball across for captain Lautaro Martínez to tap into an empty net from three yards out.
Inter’s control reflected their form coming into the match. They had beaten Lazio 3-0 in Serie A at the same venue just three days earlier, a result that already exposed the Biancocelesti’s defensive frailties. In the final, Inter recorded 1.69 xG to Lazio’s 0.73, with Denzel Dumfries, Piotr Zieliński and substitute Luis Henrique all spurning good chances to extend the lead. Lazio managed only half-chances, with Gustav Isaksen and Tijjani Noslin coming closest but lacking a cutting edge.
The win validated Cristian Chivu’s first season in charge after he replaced Simone Inzaghi last summer. Chivu, who played in Inter’s 2010 treble side, took over following a disappointing end to 2024-25 when Inter finished one point behind Napoli, lost in the Coppa Italia semifinals, and were beaten 5-0 by PSG in the Champions League final. Captain Lautaro Martínez gave his coach a perfect 10/10 rating after the final, saying the double showed how the squad had reset after last year’s heartbreak.
For Martínez, the goal was his 22nd of the season across all competitions and capped a campaign where he led Inter’s attack with consistency and leadership. “Doing the double is very important,” he said post-match. “It wasn’t easy to start again after what happened last year but we managed to have a great season in our performances, results and intensity.” His partnership with Thuram has been central to Inter’s success, with the Frenchman providing both goals and assists in key matches.
Lazio’s night unraveled quickly, and frustration spilled over late into a brief scuffle between players. The defeat added to a difficult season for the club, where fan protests against owner Claudio Lotito have been a constant backdrop. Despite a late push with Nicolò Rovella and Boulaye Dia coming on, Lazio rarely looked like mounting a comeback. They now face a high-stakes Derby della Capitale against Roma, with European qualification still on the line.
The result also had broader implications for Italian football. With Inter already qualified for the Champions League, the Europa League spots went to the fifth and sixth-placed Serie A teams, while seventh earned a Conference League place. For Inter, the double reaffirms their status as Italy’s dominant side and gives Chivu early silverware to build on. The club will celebrate with a home game against Hellas Verona this weekend.
Inter’s domestic clean sweep comes after years of near misses and rebuilds. The last time they won both Serie A and the Coppa Italia was in 2010, and fans have waited since then for a similar run. With a young core, a settled tactical system, and a motivated captain in Martínez, Inter look well-placed to challenge again in Europe next season, even as questions remain about how they respond after their Champions League final loss to PSG last year.
