Romelu Lukaku netted twice and Roberto Gagliardini also scored in the first half as Inter was 4-1 up by halftime.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez capped the scoring for Inter in the second period.

The match was one of three Serie A games that were postponed from the opening round - because they involved teams which played deep into last season.

Atalanta, which reached the Champions League quarter-finals, routed Lazio 4-1 in a match between two of last season's surprises.

In Benevento, Inter took less than 30 seconds to open the scoring as Hakimi burst down the right and rolled the ball across for Lukaku to tap into the back of the net.

Hakimi, who joined from Real Madrid in the off-season, was involved again for Inter's second in the 25th as his cross was knocked down by Ashley Young for Gagliardini to volley home.

Benevento goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo gifted Inter another just three minutes later with a woeful kick straight at Gagliardini, who set up Lukaku for an easy finish.

Inter returned the favour shortly after as goalkeeper Samir Handanovic kicked the ball to Gianluca Caprari, who fired into the bottom left corner.

Hakimi got on the scoresheet three minutes from halftime as Lukaku could only scuff at Young's cross and Hakimi pounced to net his first Serie A goal.

Alejandro "Papu" Gomez again starred for Atalanta with two goals.

Gomez had scored one and set up another two in Saturday's 4-2 victory at Torino.

The Argentina midfielder did even better on Wednesday with goals in either half.

Andrey Galabinov scored twice to help 10-man Spezia earn their first Serie A victory, a 2-0 win at Udinese.

Newly promoted Spezia is playing in Serie A for the first time.

Australian Associated Press