Scott McTominay made a costly error for Napoli in their Serie A showdown with Inter Milan before getting on the scoresheet
Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
Scott McTominay played a central role for Napoli against Inter Milan(Image: Getty Images)
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Scott McTominay’s stunning second season at Napoli is showing no signs of letting up after his all-action performance against Inter Milan on Sunday.
The midfielder, who left Manchester United in the summer of 2024, played the full 90 minutes of Napoli’s trip to Serie A title rivals Inter, where Antonio Conte’s men salvaged a crucial 2-2 draw to keep them within four points of the league leaders.
McTominay’s performance was integral to securing a point at the San Siro, having scored both of Napoli’s goals to take his tally for the season up to eight. The Serie A 2024/2025 MVP award winner was heavily involved from the off, though not how he would have liked initially.
The Scotland star lost possession to Piotr Zielinski in his own half while receiving the ball with his back to goal, which was punished instantly as Federico Dimarco handed Inter the lead from the counter in the ninth minute.
Inter Milan's Turkish midfielder #20 Hakan Calhanoglu (L) fights for the ball with Napoli's Scottish midfielder #08 Scott McTominay (C) during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Napoli at San Siro stadium in Milan, on January 11, 2026.
McTominay gave the ball away for Inter's opener(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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McTominay was dispossessed too easily for Conte’s liking, with the manager later sent off for dissent after Inter were awarded a dubious penalty.
Yet, the 29-year-old responded in brilliant fashion, equalising in the 26th minute with a near-post first-time finish after a typical lung-busting run into the box. Following Inter’s second-half penalty, McTominay again showed his remarkable goal-scoring instincts in the 81st minute by levelling the score once more, this time emphatically volleying in his effort from close-range - earning him the nickname "ruthless robot".
His ability to seize the game and not shy away after a mistake drew huge praise from the Italian press. Eurosport Italy summed it up by going with "McTominay with guts/bottle" as their headline.
Napoli's Scott McTominay, second from right, scores his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
McTominay showed courage to bounce back with two goals(Image: AP)
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They noted how such a costly mistake “would have flattened anyone… but not him,” before pointing out his “big attributes in midfield” and labelling him “MVP”. The outlet gave him a match rating of 8/10.
Corriere della Sera also dished out an 8/10 rating, focusing on his great mentality to recover by saying: “Like a robot he programmes himself and becomes the protagonist with technique and cold-bloodedness.”
Football Italia echoed that sentiment by calling him the man of the match and dubbing him "Priceless McTominay" in their headline, while giving a match rating of 8.5/10.
Napoli's Scott McTominay celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
He was described as 'priceless' and a 'leader' in big games(Image: AP)
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Corriere dello Sport backed that up by saying he “bossed it” at the San Siro, referring to him as Napoli’s leader, playing with “great substance” and dragging his team-mates along.
La Repubblica also called him a “leader”, while Sky Sport Italy gave him an 8/10 rating too. Il Giornale described McTominay’s performance as “ruthless”.
They noted how despite conceding an error you wouldn’t expect of a player of his class, he was forgiven on the night for two “poacher’s goals” worth a massive point.