Empoli triumphed in a thrilling Coppa Italia Round of 16 match against Fiorentina, winning 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw. The game took place under emotional circumstances, with heartfelt tributes paid to Edoardo Bove, the Fiorentina midfielder who recently collapsed during a match.
The action began early, with Emmanuel Ekong scoring for Empoli just four minutes in, capitalizing on a mistake by Lucas Martinez Quarta. In the second half, Moise Kean and Riccardo Sottil responded for Fiorentina, seemingly shifting momentum in their favor. However, Sebastiano Esposito equalized for Empoli with 15 minutes left on the clock, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
The shootout saw crucial misses from Fiorentina’s Kean and Luca Ranieri, while Esposito converted the decisive penalty that sent Empoli through to the quarter-finals. With this victory, Empoli will now face the winner of the Juventus-Cagliari match in the next round.
Goals: Ekong (E) 4′, Kean (F) 59′, Sottil (F) 70′, Esposito (E) 75′.
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens (74′ Parisi); Martinez Quarta (52′ Richardson), Cataldi; Colpani (52′ Ikoné), Beltran (74′ Gudmundsson), Sottil (83′ Kouamé); Kean.
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Seghetti; Tosto, Ismajli (64′ Viti), Marianucci; Sambia (82′ Gyasi), Henderson, Belardinelli (64′ Maleh), Cacace (64′ Pezzella); Ekong, Solbakken (74′ Colombo); Esposito.
