Inter 1-0 Real Betis: John Stones' Dream Debut with a Winning Goal

England international John Stones enjoyed a dream debut for Inter, netting the decisive goal shortly after entering the field in their friendly match against Real Betis.

The Nerazzurri concluded their pre-season preparations with their final friendly test at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, as they gear up to defend their Serie A and Coppa Italia titles. Djed Spence, whose signing was announced on the same afternoon, was not included in the squad, but Lautaro Martinez was on the bench for his first appearance since participating in the World Cup Final with Argentina.

Real Betis were compelled to make an early substitution due to an injury to Hector Bellerin. They came close to scoring when Antony's powerful shot narrowly missed the far post.

Andy Diouf continued to impress on the right flank, while Hakan Calhanoglu's long-range effort struck the goal frame.

There appeared to be a lack of coordination between Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny, as they twice contested the same ball, getting in each other's way.

Manu Gonzalez made a save from a Bonny strike, but the game shifted significantly with the introduction of Stones for his debut, coinciding with Lautaro Martinez's first appearance of the season.

Just 12 minutes later, Federico Dimarco's free-kick was headed down by Benjamin Pavard, allowing Stones to half-volley the ball into the net from nine yards. This marked a perfect start to his Inter career for the former Manchester City defender.

Inter came close to extending their lead late in the game when Dimarco's shot was parried by the goalkeeper, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired the rebound just wide.

Inter 1-0 Real Betis

Stones 82' (I)

Inter: Provedel (J Martinez 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)