Atalanta snatch all three points in Genoa thanks to a last-minute header from Isak Hien, sealing a hard-fought win in a match shaped by an early red card and late drama.
Atalanta left it late at the Luigi Ferraris, but Isak Hien’s stoppage-time goal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Genoa in a tense Serie A encounter. The match was heavily influenced by an incident just seconds after kickoff, which left the hosts playing almost the entire game with ten men.
The turning point came almost immediately. Brooke Norton-Cuffy miscontrolled the ball in defense, sending Daniel Maldini through on goal. Genoa goalkeeper Leali rushed out and brought Maldini down outside the box, handling the ball in the process. Referee Abisso had no choice but to show a straight red card, drastically altering the course of the game.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Genoa defended compactly and even threatened on set pieces. Atalanta created chances but struggled to convert them. De Ketelaere tested the replacement goalkeeper Sommariva early on, while Vasquez proved decisive at the other end, denying Kolasinac and sweeping away a dangerous low cross that flashed across the goalmouth.
Early in the second half, Genoa came agonizingly close to taking the lead. Vitinha struck the outside of the post from close range following a powerful run from Norton-Cuffy, who tried to redeem himself after his costly error. Atalanta responded with efforts from Ederson and Maldini, but the finishing continued to lack precision.
As the match wore on, pressure mounted on the Genoa goal. Carnesecchi was forced into an excellent save to deny Colombo from a set piece, while Zalewski and Samardžić both went close for Atalanta from distance.
Just when the match seemed destined for a scoreless draw, Atalanta found the breakthrough. In the final minute, Hien rose highest at a corner kick, capitalizing on a misjudged punch from Sommariva to head home his first Serie A goal and hand the visitors a dramatic victory.
A bitter defeat for Genoa, who showed resilience and organization despite playing a man down, while Atalanta take home three points without shining, but with decisive late efficiency.
Match Report
Genoa 0-1 Atalanta
Goals:
90+’ Hien (A)
Genoa (3-5-2):
Leali; Marcandalli, Otoa, Vasquez; Norton-Cuffy, Frendrup, Malinovskyi (67’ Thorsby), Ellertsson, Martin (5’ Sommariva); Vitinha (83’ Masini), Ekuban (67’ Colombo).
Coach: De Rossi.
Atalanta (3-4-3):
Carnesecchi; De Roon, Hien, Kolasinac (82’ Krstović); Zappacosta (69’ Sulemana), Musah, Ederson (82’ Brescianini), Bernasconi (69’ Zalewski); De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Maldini (57’ Samardžić).
Coach: Palladino.
Referee: Abisso
Yellow cards: Samardžić, Zalewski (Atalanta)
Red cards: Leali (Genoa)
