John Stones Shines in Debut as Inter Milan Defeats Real Betis
England international John Stones made an impressive debut for Inter Milan, scoring the decisive goal shortly after entering the match in their friendly against Real Betis.
The Nerazzurri faced Real Betis in their final pre-season fixture at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari. They are set to defend their titles in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Djed Spence was only announced this afternoon and was not included in the squad, while Lautaro Martinez returned to the bench for the first time since leading Argentina to the World Cup Final.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale looks on with Andy Diouf during the match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
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Real Betis had to make an early substitution due to an injury to Hector Bellerin but created the first significant opportunity when Antony’s powerful strike narrowly missed the far post.
Andy Diouf was again impressive on the right wing, while Hakan Calhanoglu came close with a long-range effort that skimmed the goal frame.
Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny struggled with communication, as they each went for the same ball on two occasions, causing confusion.
Manu Gonzalez managed to parry a strike from Bonny, but the turning point of the match came when Stones stepped onto the field for his debut alongside Martinez’s first appearance of the season.
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Only 12 minutes after Stones joined the match, Federico Dimarco’s free kick was directed by Benjamin Pavard, allowing Stones to half-volley it into the net from nine yards, marking a successful opening to his career at Inter.
Near the end, Inter came close to extending their lead when Dimarco’s shot was parried right to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who fired the rebound just wide of the goal.
Inter teammates celebrate as John Stones scores the winner in a friendly against Real Betis (@inter)
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)
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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)
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.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale looks on with Andy Diouf during the match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)
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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.
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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.
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 teammates celebrate as John Stones scores the winner in a friendly against Real Betis (@inter)
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)
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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)
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