Lazio secured a 3-1 victory over Serie A leaders Napoli in the Coppa Italia, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Tijjani Noslin at the Stadio Olimpico. This result means that Antonio Conte and his team will exit the tournament for another year.
Both teams fielded significantly rotated lineups for this midweek encounter, with Lazio missing key players like Nuno Tavares, Matteo Guendouzi, Taty Castellanos, and Boulaye Dia. Meanwhile, Conte opted to rest stars such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Romelu Lukaku, Scott McTominay, and Alessandro Buongiorno.
Lazio started the match with great energy and nearly took the lead from a penalty in the 20th minute when Pedro was fouled by Elia Caprile. However, Mattia Zaccagni’s penalty was saved by Napoli’s goalkeeper.
The Biancocelesti eventually broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Loum Tchaouna’s corner was headed back into the box by Samuel Gigot, allowing Noslin to score from close range.
Napoli responded quickly, equalizing just four minutes later. David Neres intercepted the ball in Lazio’s half and shot, which was parried by Christos Mandas, allowing Giovanni Simeone to score on the rebound.
Noslin regained the lead for Lazio shortly after with a well-placed shot following a clever exchange between Pedro and Zaccagni. He completed his hat-trick just four minutes into the second half, heading home from a Zaccagni cross despite Juan Jesus’s attempt to intervene.
Despite both teams introducing first-team regulars in the second half, including Guendouzi, McTominay, and Lukaku for Napoli, Lazio maintained control of the match and comfortably held onto their two-goal advantage.
With this victory, Lazio advances to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals and will face the winner of the Inter-Udinese match. Interestingly, Lazio and Napoli are set to meet again in Serie A on Sunday at Stadio Maradona.
Goals: Noslin (L) 32’, 41’, 50, Simeone (N) 36’
Lazio (4-2-3-1): Mandas; Lazzari, Gigot, Gila, Hysaj; Dele-Bashiru (73′ Castrovilli), Rovella; Tchaouna, Pedro ( 60′ Guendouzi), Zaccagni (60′ Isaksen); Noslin (90’+2′ Marusic).
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Caprile; Zerbin (72′ Di Lorenzo), Juan Jesus, Rafa Marin, Spinazzola; Gilmour, Folorunsho (72′ McTominay); Neres, Raspadori (’84’ Lobotka), Ngonge (72′ Politano); Simeone
