Napoli reached the Supercoppa Italiana final with a 2-0 victory over AC Milan, secured by goals in each half from David Neres and Rasmus Hojlund. The Serie A champions now wait to face either Bologna or Inter in the showpiece, scheduled for December 22, after a controlled display at Al-Awwal Park.
Hojlund delivered a standout performance while on-loan, scoring Napoli’s second and proving a constant threat. The forward registered his seventh goal in 18 matches across all competitions, and against Milan led Napoli for shots, touches in the penalty area, chances created and duels contested, underlining a complete centre-forward display.
Napoli created the first clear opening when Mike Maignan failed to hold Matteo Politano’s early corner, dropping
the ball under pressure. Eljif Elmas reacted quickest inside the area but sent the rebound wide, missing a chance to punish Milan before the contest had properly settled into a pattern.
Further opportunities followed as Napoli pushed Milan back. Scott McTominay tried his luck from long range, sending a driven effort narrowly past the right post. Milan then responded with a rare first-half opening of their own, when Adrien Rabiot met a cross but directed a close-range header just over the crossbar.
The deadlock was broken six minutes before half-time after sustained Napoli pressure. Maignan could only stretch a fingertip towards a driven cross from Hojlund, failing to divert it clear. The slight touch left Neres unmarked inside the six-yard box, where a simple finish gave Napoli a deserved 1-0 advantage.
Antonio Conte’s side almost struck again in first-half stoppage time. Napoli launched a fast counter-attack, and Hojlund darted to the near post to connect with a low delivery. Maignan reacted sharply, spreading body and arms to block, preventing Milan from going in at the interval two goals behind.
Napoli resumed strongly after the break, again forcing Milan’s goalkeeper into action. Amir Rrahmani stepped forward from defence and tried a powerful strike from distance. The attempt bounced awkwardly in front of Maignan, who adjusted well and parried, keeping Milan in touch as the game entered its final half-hour.
The pressure told in the 63rd minute when Napoli doubled the lead. Hojlund collected possession near the edge of the box, rolled Koni De Winter with a sharp turn and unleashed a fierce shot. The ball clipped the base of the right post on its way into the net, giving Maignan no realistic chance.
Full time: #NapoliMilan 2-0 Siamo in finale!!! #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/6iPFUlSpkO Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) December 18, 2025
Napoli Supercoppa Italiana milestones and missed chances
Hojlund almost repeated the feat moments later from a similar position, again working space on the angle. This time the finish went the other side of the upright, sliding just past the far post. Late on, McTominay had another major chance but drove a rising effort over the bar from the edge of the area.
Neres’ opener held extra significance for Napoli’s history in this competition. The Brazilian became only the second player from Brazil to score for Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana, matching Careca, who netted twice against Juventus in 1990. Neres is also the first Brazilian to score against Milan in this fixture.
Napoli Supercoppa Italiana numbers and Lukaku’s return
Conte could reflect on a controlled performance with and without the ball, as Napoli limited Milan’s clear chances. Statistical measures supported that view, with Napoli producing an expected goals total similar to Milan’s but finishing more clinically and defending the penalty area with greater effectiveness across the ninety minutes.
After four months out with a thigh injury, Romelu Lukaku returned to the Napoli squad and took a place on the bench at Al-Awwal Park. Lukaku remained unused as Conte trusted Hojlund to lead the line, a decision backed by the striker’s goal, overall contribution and the secure 2-0 scoreline that sent Napoli through.
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