Inter Milan's captain Lautaro Martínez is on fire—and the Serie A scoring charts are feeling the heat. After leading his team to the league title last week, the Argentine World Cup winner is now closing in on the Capocannoniere (top scorer) award, delivering another standout performance in a 3-0 victory over 10-man Lazio on Saturday.

The match served as a perfect warm-up for Wednesday's Italian Cup final, where Inter will face Lazio again at the Stadio Olimpico, aiming for a historic league-and-cup double. Lautaro opened the scoring in just the sixth minute, volleying home from close range after a long throw-in was flicked on by teammate Marcus Thuram. He then turned provider just before halftime, exchanging crisp passes with Andy Diouf before rolling the ball across for Petar Sucic to smash into the top corner from outside the box.

With 17 league goals this season, Lautaro now holds a four-goal lead over Thuram, his closest rival. Como's Tasos Douvikas and Nico Paz trail by five, but with only three rounds remaining after this weekend, the captain's grip on the Golden Boot looks increasingly secure.

Lazio's hopes evaporated in the 59th minute when defender Alessio Romagnoli was sent off for a dangerous, studs-up challenge on Inter's Ange-Yoan Bonny—who was lucky to escape injury. Romagnoli will miss next Sunday's derby against Roma.

Elsewhere, Cagliari's relegation fears remain after a 2-0 home loss to Udinese, leaving them nine points above 18th-placed Cremonese, who host already-relegated Pisa on Sunday. Lecce, just four points above the drop zone, faced fourth-placed Juventus later Saturday.