Lazio secured a hard-fought victory in Serie A, snatching all three points deep into stoppage time to climb into the league’s top ten. It was a night of tension at the Stadio Olimpico, where the hosts needed a late moment of inspiration to finally break the resistance of Sassuolo.

The match burst into life almost immediately. Lazio struck in just the second minute when Daniel Maldini reacted quickest inside the box, calmly converting the rebound after an energetic solo run from Gustav Isaksen. The early breakthrough gave the Roman side control of the tempo, but Sassuolo gradually grew into the contest.

Before the interval, the visitors found their response in spectacular fashion. Winger Armand Lauriente produced a stunning curling strike into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and restoring parity before half-time.

The second half turned into an open, end-to-end battle. Lazio debutant goalkeeper Edoardo Motta was called into action several times, producing important saves to keep his side level as Sassuolo threatened on the counter.

The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time. A dangerous cross from Matteo Cancellieri caused chaos in the penalty area, and Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric misjudged his attempt to claim the ball. Defender Adam Marusic reacted instantly, rising above the defence to head the ball into the unguarded net and spark wild celebrations among the home supporters.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Lazio - Sassuolo 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Maldini D., 2 (1:0); Lauriente A., 35 (1:1); Marušić, 90 (2:1)

Lazio: Motta Ed.; Dele-Bashiru F.; Romagnoli (Provstgaard, 46); Tavares N.; Gila; Zaccagni (Pedro, 79); Taylor Ke.; Cataldi (Gil Patricio, 38); Marušić; Isaksen G. (Cancellieri, 79); Maldini D. (Dia B., 65)
Substitution: Gil Patricio (from 38); Provstgaard (from 46); Dia B. (from 65); Pedro (from 79); Cancellieri (from 79)
Bench: Furlanetto; Pellegrini Lu.; Hysaj; Belahyane Reda; Lazzari M.; Noslin; Ratkov; Przyborek

Sassuolo: Muric A.; U.Garcia (Doig, 69); Coulibaly W. (Walukiewicz, 68); Idzes; Lipani (Matic, 46); Thorstvedt; Muharemovic; Kone I. (Bakola, 83); Nzola (Moro L., 68); Berardi D.; Lauriente A.
Substitution: Matic (from 46); Walukiewicz (from 68); Moro L. (from 68); Doig (from 69); Bakola (from 83)
Bench: Satalino; Turati; Zacchi; Romagna; Volpato C.; Vranckx; Iannoni
Yellow Cards: Lipani 37; U.Garcia 58; Lauriente A. 86; Walukiewicz 88