Full Breakdown
Napoli Secures Dramatic 3-2 Victory Over Genoa with Last-Minute Penalty
2/8/2026, 9:17:07 AM
Match Overview
In a thrilling Serie A encounter on February 7, 2026, Napoli triumphed 3-2 against Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, despite being reduced to ten men. Rasmus Højlund scored a last-minute penalty, sealing the victory and keeping Napoli's title hopes alive as they remain one point behind AC Milan and six behind Inter Milan, both of whom have a game in hand.
Key Events of the Match
The match began disastrously for Napoli, with a defensive error leading to an early penalty for Genoa. In the second minute, goalkeeper Alex Meret fouled Vitinha after a back pass from Alessandro Buongiorno, allowing Ruslan Malinovskyi to convert the penalty and give Genoa a 1-0 lead. However, Napoli quickly responded with two goals in quick succession. Højlund equalized in the 20th minute by scoring from a rebound after a save from Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, followed by a stunning long-range strike from Scott McTominay just a minute later, putting Napoli ahead 2-1.
Despite the momentum, Napoli faced challenges in the second half. McTominay, who had been instrumental in the comeback, was forced to leave the match at halftime due to a recurring gluteal injury. Genoa capitalized on another defensive mistake from Buongiorno, with Lorenzo Colombo equalizing in the 57th minute. The situation worsened for Napoli when center-back Juan Jesus received a second yellow card in the 76th minute, leaving the team with ten players.
Dramatic Conclusion
As the match approached its conclusion, Napoli was awarded a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time after a VAR review determined that Maxwel Cornet had fouled Antonio Vergara. Højlund stepped up to take the penalty, which he converted despite Bijlow getting a hand to the ball, securing a dramatic victory for Napoli.
Official Statements & Responses
Antonio Conte, Napoli's coach, praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed that we're a team that never gives up... I'm proud of my players' attitude." Højlund reflected on his performance, saying, "The penalty wasn't perfect. I was also lucky, but what matters is that we won." Conte also addressed McTominay's injury, emphasizing the importance of player health: "I’d rather have him at 100 percent rather than take stupid risks."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, Napoli's performance drew some criticism, particularly regarding their defensive errors that allowed Genoa to score twice. Conte acknowledged these mistakes, noting, "We basically gave away two goals to Genoa," while also commending Genoa's efforts under coach Daniele De Rossi.
What's Next
Following this match, Napoli will look to build on their momentum as they continue their pursuit of the Serie A title. They remain in third place, with upcoming matches that will be crucial in determining their championship aspirations. Meanwhile, Genoa will aim to recover from this narrow defeat as they seek to solidify their position in the league.
