Neres and Højlund Fire Napoli to Supercoppa Glory

David Neres' sublime first-half strike set the tone as Napoli secured a 2-0 victory over AC Milan to lift the Italian Supercoppa at King Saud University Stadium. While the Rossoneri dominated possession for long stretches, Napoli's ruthless efficiency in front of goal proved decisive in claiming the silverware. The Partenopei absorbed pressure with discipline before striking twice through Neres and Rasmus Højlund to condemn Milan to a frustrating evening in Saudi Arabia.

The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when Neres produced a moment of individual brilliance. The Brazilian winger collected the ball on the left flank, cut inside past his marker with a deft touch, and curled a magnificent effort beyond the outstretched hand of Mike Maignan. The goal silenced Milan's growing momentum and rewarded Napoli's patient approach against opponents who had controlled the opening exchanges. Neres' celebration was mobbed by teammates who recognized the importance of striking first against a possession-hungry Milan side.

Napoli doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute through Højlund, who pounced on a defensive lapse to slot home clinically. The Danish striker showed predatory instincts inside the box, timing his run perfectly to meet a through ball before finishing with composure past Maignan. The goal effectively killed the contest, leaving Milan chasing shadows as Napoli dropped deeper to protect their cushion. Leonardo Spinazzola and the Napoli backline stood firm, repelling wave after wave of increasingly desperate Milan attacks.

AC Milan dominated the ball with 59.1% possession, pinning Napoli back for long stretches, but their inability to convert territorial advantage into clear chances proved costly. Despite 14 attempts, AC Milan managed just 3 on target, with both goalkeepers making three saves apiece in a match where clinical finishing separated the sides. Napoli's five shots on target from 11 attempts told the story of superior efficiency, while Milan's wastefulness in the final third left manager Stefano Pioli visibly frustrated on the touchline.

The turning point came in the minutes following Neres' opener when Milan pushed forward desperately but found Napoli's defensive organization impenetrable. Fikayo Tomori and Adrien Rabiot saw yellow cards as Milan's frustration boiled over, with the match becoming increasingly fractious. The introduction of Luka Modrić in the 75th minute failed to spark the comeback Milan craved, as Napoli's shape remained compact and disciplined. Scott McTominay's yellow card in the 83rd minute epitomized the physical nature of the encounter, with five bookings overall reflecting the intensity of this Supercoppa showdown.

Looking ahead, Napoli will host Cremonese on December 28, while AC Milan host Hellas Verona on the same day as both sides return to domestic action.