Genoa finally claimed their first victory of the Serie A 2025/26 season, defeating Sassuolo 2–1 at the Mapei Stadium in a tense encounter that saw Ruslan Malinovskyi play a starring role.

The Ukrainian midfielder opened the scoring in the first half with a trademark long-range thunderbolt, firing Genoa into an early lead. After the break, Domenico Berardi equalised for the hosts from close range, giving Sassuolo hope of securing a draw.

But just when it seemed the points would be shared, Brooke Norton-Cuffy produced a brilliant solo run down the flank, drawing a foul that led to the decisive free-kick. From the ensuing set-piece, Estigarribia found the net to hand Genoa a dramatic late winner.

The result lifts Genoa off the bottom of the table — a crucial morale boost following the recent dismissal of head coach Patrick Vieira. Meanwhile, Sassuolo continue to struggle, suffering their fifth defeat in ten league games.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Sassuolo - Genoa 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Malynovskyi, 18 (0:1); Berardi D., 47 (1:1); Ostigard, 90 (1:2)

Sassuolo: Muric A.; Doig (Coulibaly W., 78); Walukiewicz; Matic; Idzes; Thorstvedt; Muharemovic; Kone I. (Vranckx, 64); Berardi D. (Cheddira, 78); Lauriente A. (Fadera, 64); Pinamonti (Moro L., 86)
Substitution: Vranckx (from 64); Fadera (from 64); Coulibaly W. (from 78); Cheddira (from 78); Moro L. (from 86)
Bench: Turati; Zacchi; Odenthal; Lipani; Iannoni; Cande F.; Pierini
Yellow Cards: Muharemovic 90

Genoa: Leali; Martín A.; Ostigard; Norton-Cuffy; Vasquez J-n; Marcandalli (Ellertsson, 69); Malynovskyi (Masini, 59); Frendrup; Thorsby (Gronbaek, 85); Vitinha (Junior Messias, 59); Colombo (Ekuban, 68)
Substitution: Junior Messias (from 59); Masini (from 59); Ekuban (from 68); Ellertsson (from 69); Gronbaek (from 85)
Bench: Siegrist; Sabelli; Onana J.; Stanciu; Carboni V.; Cuenca; Fini; Cornet M.; Venturino; Ekhator
Yellow Cards: Malynovskyi 3; Marcandalli 36; Masini 73