Napoli solidified their position at the top of Serie A with a commanding 2-0 victory over Torino at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday evening, thanks to a sensational brace from Scott McTominay. The win moved Antonio Conte’s side three points clear of reigning champions Inter Milan with just four games remaining in the 2024/25 season, putting the Scudetto firmly within their grasp.
The match, played under the vibrant lights of Naples, saw Napoli dominate from the outset, with their high-pressing 4-3-3 formation overwhelming a Torino side that struggled to find rhythm. McTominay, the former Manchester United midfielder who has become a fan favorite in southern Italy, opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful header, capitalizing on a precise cross from Matteo Politano. The Scottish star’s ninth league goal of the season set the tone for a one-sided affair.
Torino, sitting mid-table in 10th with 43 points, showed flashes of resilience, particularly in the second half, as former Napoli man Eljif Elmas and Che Adams linked up to test goalkeeper Alex Meret. However, Napoli’s defensive solidity—boasting the league’s best record with just 25 goals conceded all season—held firm, with Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno marshaling the backline superbly. Buongiorno, returning from a thigh injury, was a rock against his former club, earning applause from the home faithful.
McTominay sealed the victory in the 68th minute, latching onto a through ball from Romelu Lukaku and slotting past Vanja Milinkovic-Savic with clinical precision. The goal sparked wild celebrations in the stands, with Napoli fans sensing a first league title since 1990 drawing closer. Posts on X captured the electric atmosphere, with one user exclaiming, “Scott McTominay is carrying Napoli to the Scudetto! Unbelievable brace!”
Despite the triumph, the night was not without concerns for Napoli. Injuries to key players Frank Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and potentially Buongiorno cast a shadow over the victory. Conte, speaking post-match, expressed cautious optimism: “The mentality of this team is what drives us. We controlled the game, but we must wait for updates on the injuries. The Scudetto? We focus on the next match.” Torino’s Paolo Vanoli, meanwhile, admitted his side was outplayed, stating, “Napoli were superior tonight. We fought, but their quality shone through.”
Torino had their chances, with Adams nearly pulling one back, only for his effort to be thwarted by Meret’s sharp reflexes. A late header from Philip Billing struck the crossbar, but Napoli’s lead was never truly threatened. The visitors’ attacking output was limited, having scored just 38 goals this season, the lowest among top-half teams.
Napoli’s victory was a statement of intent in a tightly contested title race. With 74 points, they now lead Inter, who suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to AS Roma. The Partenopei’s remaining fixtures against Lecce, Genoa, Parma, and Cagliari appear favorable, fueling optimism among supporters.