News Focus
- Nikola Stulic nets 96th-minute winner to complete remarkable turnaround
- Walid Cheddira scores twice for the visitors in crucial survival battle
- Andrea Pinamonti had put Sassuolo 2-1 ahead with eight minutes remaining
- Result moves Lecce one point clear of the drop zone with one round left
- Both teams finished with ten men after late dismissals
Lecce produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Sassuolo 3-2 in a thrilling Serie A clash on Sunday. The visitors snatched all three points deep into added time thanks to a dramatic strike from Nikola Stulic.
The match started at a frantic pace. Both teams created chances inside the first 90 seconds. Ismael Koné forced an early corner for the hosts, while Walid Cheddira went close at the other end.
The opening goal arrived after 14 minutes. Cheddira found the net following a defensive mix-up involving Ulisses Garcia. The Sassuolo player attempted to intercept Lassana Coulibaly but accidentally teed up the striker, who finished calmly from close range.
Sassuolo responded six minutes later. Domenico Berardi led a swift counter-attack and squared the ball for Armand Laurienté. The winger swept home from eight yards to level the scores.
The visitors restored their advantage in the 25th minute. Lameck Banda delivered an excellent cross from the left flank, and Cheddira twisted his body to head the ball into the far corner for his second goal of the afternoon.
The second half brought more drama. Sassuolo thought they had taken the lead when Kristian Thorstvedt scored, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. M’Bala Nzola also struck the woodwork for the hosts following good work from Berardi.
With just eight minutes remaining, Sassuolo finally grabbed the lead. Andrea Pinamonti produced a clever back-heel finish from six yards after a precise cutback from the byline.
However, the contest was not over. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, substitute Omri Gandelman knocked the ball down for Stulic. The midfielder turned his marker and fired past the goalkeeper to spark wild celebrations among the travelling supporters and staff.