In Riyadh, under the bright lights of Al-Awwal Park, Napoli showed calm, control, and a cutting edge. David Neres scored in each half to beat Bologna 2-0 and lift the Italian Super Cup on December 22, 2025. It is Napoli’s third Super Cup in club history, and the first of Antonio Conte’s new spell in charge, a coach who now owns six Super Cup wins across his career.

This was not a lucky night. It was a firm statement from the reigning Serie A champions: when the moment calls, they have the tools, the tempo, and a match-winner who thrives on the big stage.

Neres delivers when it matters

The first goal told the story. In the 39th minute, Neres stepped inside and whipped a left-foot shot from about 25 meters. It bent into the far corner, leaving Bologna keeper Federico Ravaglia with no chance. The strike felt like a cup-winner by itself — crisp, brave, and timed just before the break.

After halftime, he did it again. In the 57th minute, Neres doubled the lead to kill the tension. Two goals, same headline: a winger with the skill and calm to carry a final. Since arriving from Benfica in August 2024, Neres has grown into a key figure. This was his second brace for Napoli, and he has now scored in each of his last four goalscoring matches. That is the form of a player who believes.

“Neres didn’t just score — he set the tone for the season.”

Conte’s trophy habit, Napoli’s rising rhythm

Antonio Conte collects cups. This win gives him six Italian Super Cups across his life in the game — three as a player and three as a manager. With Napoli, his stamp is already clear: a solid base, quick wide play, and sharp transitions. The results back it up. Napoli have seven wins in their last nine matches in all competitions.

In Serie A, they sit third. The gap is small — one point behind AC Milan and two behind Inter. That makes this title more than a photo op. It can be a springboard. A trophy builds belief. It also sends a message to rivals that Napoli are peaking as winter bites.

How the final was won in Riyadh

Al-Awwal Park hosted 17,869 fans for the EA SPORTS FC Supercup final, with Andrea Colombo as referee. The stage was neat and modern. The football was clean and direct. Napoli controlled key moments and protected their box when it mattered. Bologna tried to press and punch back, but once Neres made it 2-0, the gap felt too wide to bridge.

Napoli did not need to chase a third. They managed the ball and the clock. It was the kind of final that looks simple from the outside, but only because the leading team got the first goal, then the next, and stayed calm.

“Conte turned a cup into a compass — now Napoli know the way.”

Match essentials at a glance

• Final score: Napoli 2-0 Bologna
• Scorer: David Neres (39′, 57′)
• Venue: Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Attendance: 17,869
• Referee: Andrea Colombo
• Competition: 2025–26 Supercoppa Italiana (EA SPORTS FC Supercup)

The road to the final: Milan and Inter fall

Napoli earned their place by beating AC Milan 2-0 in the semifinal on December 19. Bologna came through the other side by pushing Inter Milan to penalties after a 1-1 draw and winning the shootout 3-2. That semifinal run was bold and brave from Bologna. The final, though, asked for a different level of punch in front of goal, and Napoli had it.

History backs the champions. Before tonight, Napoli lifted the Super Cup in 1990 and 2014. Now 2025 is part of that list — a smooth, modern win that matches their current identity.

“If this is Bologna’s ceiling, the top three just got even tighter.”

Why it matters for the Serie A race

Form is a habit. So is winning. Napoli’s recent run — seven wins in nine — shows they are learning how to close games without chaos. With the league table so tight, small boosts matter. A clean sheet and a medal in December can settle nerves for January and beyond.

There’s also the Neres factor. When a wide player is in this kind of groove, he changes game plans. Opponents must double him, which frees space for teammates. Conte will know it and build on it. That is how a cup win can shape a title chase.

The bigger picture: calm, clarity, and a cutting edge

Napoli did the simple things right. They kept the ball safe when needed. They struck when the gaps opened. They respected Bologna, but they did not fear them. It was a final played on Napoli’s terms, thanks to a star winger’s cool finishing and a coach who loves this stage.

Sometimes a trophy feels like a snapshot. This one feels like a signpost. Napoli are not just lifting silver. They are building speed for the rest of the season. And with Conte’s steady hand and Neres’ sharp left foot, they look ready for the road ahead.