Goals from Dele-Bashiru, Pasalic, Dia and Musah ignite a wild second half as the tie heads to Bergamo level.
SS Lazio and Atalanta BC played out an explosive 2-2 draw in the first leg of their semifinal in the Coppa Italia, with all four goals arriving in a chaotic second half at the Stadio Olimpico.
With the stadium unusually quiet due to a Lazio supporters’ protest against club president Claudio Lotito, the teams produced a dramatic finale that leaves qualification to be decided in the return leg in Bergamo.
A Quiet First Half
The opening 45 minutes offered little excitement, with both teams cautious and evenly matched in midfield.
Atalanta thought they had taken the lead through Krstović, but the goal was ruled out for offside earlier in the move involving Davide Zappacosta. The Nerazzurri also came close when the same wingback rattled the crossbar, but clear chances remained scarce.
Goals Arrive After the Break
The match came alive immediately after halftime.
In the 47th minute, Daniel Maldini threaded a superb through ball behind the Atalanta defense, releasing Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The midfielder calmly lifted the ball over Marco Carnesecchi to give Lazio the lead.
But the advantage lasted only four minutes.
Lazar Samardžić tested Ivan Provedel from distance, and the Lazio goalkeeper failed to deal convincingly with the shot. Mario Pašalić reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to level the score at 1-1.
A Wild Finale
The drama intensified late in the match.
In the 87th minute, Pašalić turned from hero to culprit. A defensive mistake inside the Atalanta box allowed substitute Boulaye Dia — only moments after coming on — to seize the opportunity and fire Lazio back in front.
Yet the lead lasted just three minutes.
Another substitute made the difference as Yunus Musah struck from distance. A deflection off Mario Gila wrong-footed Provedel and sent the ball into the net for the final 2-2.
With everything still balanced, the decisive chapter of the semifinal will now unfold in Bergamo.
Match Report
Lazio 2-2 Atalanta
Scorers:
47’ Dele-Bashiru (Lazio)
51’ Pašalić (Atalanta)
87’ Dia (Lazio)
90’ Musah (Atalanta)
Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen (64’ Cancellieri), Maldini (76’ Dia), Zaccagni (76’ Noslin).
Head Coach: Sarri
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini (64’ Kossounou), Hien, Kolasinac (76’ Ahanor); Zappacosta, Pašalić, De Roon (64’ Musah), Bernasconi; Samardžić (76’ Sulemana), Zalewski; Krstović (85’ Scamacca).
Head Coach: Palladino
Referee: Manganiello
Bookings: De Roon (Atalanta), Pašalić (Atalanta), Hien (Atalanta)
