Inter Held to a 2-2 Draw by Genoa in Thrilling Serie A Opener
Inter Milan was held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Serie A. The match, which took place on August 17, 2024, was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring a brace from Marcus Thuram and a last-minute equalizer from Junior Messias.
First Half: Early Setbacks and Quick Responses
The game began with Genoa taking an unexpected lead in the 20th minute. Alessandro Vogliacco capitalized on a fumble by Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer, poking the ball into the net to score his first goal in over 140 senior matches.
Inter, however, quickly responded with Thuram’s perfectly placed header from Nicolo Barella’s cross, leveling the score at 1-1 by the half-hour mark.
Second Half: Thuram Shines, but Genoa Strikes Back
Thuram continued to shine in the second half, netting his second goal of the match with a delicate finish from Davide Frattesi’s pass. This goal, initially disallowed for offside, was awarded after a VAR check, putting Inter ahead 2-1.
Thuram’s performance was a testament to his growing influence in the team, following a stellar previous season with 15 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.
Late Drama: Messias’ Equalizer
Just when it seemed Inter would secure a victory, late drama unfolded. In stoppage time, Inter defender Yann Aurel Bisseck was penalized for a handball in the box.
Junior Messias stepped up to take the penalty, and although Sommer saved the initial shot, Messias scored on the rebound, securing a 2-2 draw for Genoa.
