In a stunning performance on Wednesday, Lautaro Martínez achieved a remarkable feat for Inter Milan by scoring a hat trick against a depleted Monaco side in the Champions League. This outstanding display has now made him the top scorer in European competitions for the club, bringing his total to 18 goals, surpassing the legendary former player Sandro Mazzola, who had tallied his goals during the 1960s and 70s while playing in the European Cup.

The San Siro fans celebrated Lautaro as he was substituted in the 76th minute, showering him with applause for his contributions which led to a convincing 3-0 victory and secured Inter a spot in the round of 16 of the current tournament format. After the match, Lautaro expressed his pride in setting records but emphasized his true focus on the team’s success. “What matters most is Inter’s victories; my role is to support the team and bring joy to our fans,” he stated.

At just 27 years old, Lautaro is evidently enjoying a great run, scoring eight goals in his last ten matches, marking a significant comeback after a period of struggle where he managed only one goal since early November. His passion for scoring was evident, and he showed disappointment after missing an opportunity for a fourth goal shortly after completing his hat trick.

By finishing fourth in the 36-team group, Inter Milan advanced directly to the knockout stage, while Monaco found themselves in 17th place, forcing them to compete in the playoff round. The previous season, Inter had reached the Champions League final but fell short against Manchester City.

Lautaro reflected on the club’s stature, saying, “This fourth place underlines that Inter is a prominent team that deserves respect. Our journey to the final two years ago against a top team like Manchester City was a statement, and we believe we deserved more from that game.”

The outcome in Milan was apparent early on, with Lautaro converting a penalty just 12 minutes in to give Inter a lead. The situation worsened for Monaco when defender Christian Mawissa received a red card for bringing Marcus Thuram down while he was clear on goal, leaving the visitors shorthanded for most of the encounter. Lautaro extended the lead further in the 16th minute, solidifying Inter’s dominance in the match.