England international John Stones had a dream debut for Inter, scoring the winning goal just minutes after coming on in their friendly against Real Betis.
The Nerazzurri had their final pre-season test at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, gearing up to defend their Serie A and Coppa Italia titles. Djed Spence was only announced this afternoon, so was not in the squad, but Lautaro Martinez was on the bench for the first time since taking Argentina to the World Cup Final.
Betis were forced into an early substitution for Hector Bellerin’s injury, but had the first big chance when Antony’s scorcher bent inches wide of the far post.
Andy Diouf was again impressive down the right flank, while Hakan Calhanoglu skimmed the frame of the goal from distance.
There was a lack of understanding between Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny, as twice they both went for the same ball and in each other’s way.
Manu Gonzalez also parried a Bonny strike, but the game changed when Stones was introduced for his debut, at the same time Lautaro Martinez made his first appearance of the season.
Just 12 minutes later, Federico Dimarco’s free kick was knocked down by Benjamin Pavard for Stones to half-volley in from nine yards. It was the perfect start to his Inter career for the former Manchester City defender.
DREAM DEBUT FOR JOHN STONES!
The new Inter man scores the go-ahead goal and, as things stand, the match-winner!
#DAZNPreseasonFriendlies pic.twitter.com/nwvJpZZLMy
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) August 15, 2026
There was almost a second goal for Cristian Chivu’s side late on, as Dimarco’s strike was parried into the path of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who fired the rebound just wide.
Inter 1-0 Real Betis
Stones 82 (I)
Inter: J Martinez (Provedel 60); Bisseck (Stones 70), Bovio (Akanji 46), Bastoni (Pavard 60); Diouf (Luis Henrique 60), Barella (Mkhitaryan 60), Calhanoglu (Sucic 46), Zielinski (Stankovic 70), Carlos Augusto (Dimarco 46); Esposito (Idrissou 85), Bonny (Lautaro Martinez 70)
Real Betis: Valles (Manu Gonzalez 46); Bellerin (Ortiz 10), Bartran, Natan, Fran Garcia (Junior Firpo 70); Bernal (Bouarè 60), Roca (Fidalgo 70); Antony (Pablo Garcia 60), Fornals (Isco 46), Riquelme (Iker 70), Cucho (Deossa 60)
