ROME (Reuters) - Defending champions Inter Milan stormed to a 6-0 win at Lazio in Serie A on Monday as they scored quick-fire goals either side of halftime in a superb display that silenced the Stadio Olimpico.
Inter delivered a masterclass to overwhelm Lazio, with Hakan Calhanoglu breaking the deadlock with a 41st-minute penalty and Federico Dimarco making it 2-0 at the break with a volley.
Nicolo Barella slotted home for 3-0 six minutes after the restart before Denzel Dumfries netted two minutes later and Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram completed the rout late on.
Inter remain third with 34 points from 15 matches and trail leaders Atalanta by three points with a game in hand. Lazio, who beat second-placed Napoli last time out, suffered a second league loss in three games and sit fifth on 31 from 16 matches.
Lazio were the best side in the opening 30 minutes although Inter defender Stefan de Vrij thought he had opened the scoring after a rebound only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
However, Inter were awarded a penalty minutes later after a lengthy VAR review showed defender Samuel Gigot stopped the ball with his arm from Dumfries initial attempt in the same move.
Calhanoglu converted to give the visitors the lead and Inter grew in confidence, with Dimarco firing inside the far post to quickly double their advantage.