Lazio stun Napoli at Maradona and blow full-time whistle on Scudetto race
Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 18.04.26. | 20:58
The Roman team pretty easily brushed the Neapolitans aside (2-0) and handed the Serie A leaders Inter a vast 12-point advantage ahead of the last five Serie A rounds
On December 8, 2024, Napoli suffered a home defeat to Lazio. A 26-game unbeaten run followed, until today, when the Romans again came to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and conquered it one more time!
Last season, Lazio played a crucial role in the title race between Napoli and Inter Milan, salvaging a 2-2 draw against the Nerazzurri on the road and keeping the Neapolitans at the top of Serie A, while the ex-Barcelona striker Pedro was the hero of the future champions.
Today, the Roman side may have decided the battle for Scudetto once again, but this time, in Inter’s favour.
Maurizio Sarri’s men stunned Napoli, beating the second-placed side 2-0. Now, the Nerazzurri have a 12-point edge at the top with five games to go, which is an immense advantage, so the preparations for the title celebration in Milan can start.
Lazio’s triumph against Antonio Conte’s team was absolutely deserved, as the home crew was unrecognizable and their display was very poor. Matteo Cancellieri, before the break, and Toma Basic, after it, handed lethal blows to Napoli, whose defeat could have been even more convincing had Mattia Zaccagni converted a penalty kick.
The Neapolitans will most likely have to settle for second place, while Lazio’s focus is on the Coppa Italia semi-final clash against Atalanta next Wednesday.
FT: Napoli 0-2 Lazio.
— The Touchline | Ț 2.0 (@DanielDAzaMan) April 18, 2026
NAPOLI LOSE THE IMPORTANT GAME FOR THE SERIE A TITLE RACE! ❌ pic.twitter.com/HA1wiy7hK2
For the second time in a row, Napoli were in for a terrible opening of a game. Six days ago, their defence collapsed after only 33 seconds, conceding the fastest goal in the Serie A season, and today, Lazio broke the deadlock just six minutes into the game, when Matteo Cancellieri crowned Kenneth Taylor's solo run and a good pass with an opener.
The packed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona probably expected their lads to bounce back, but they can, in fact, be happy they were only 1-0 down at the break.
In the 31st minute, Stanislav Lobotka brought down Tijjani Noslin in the box for a penalty for Lazio. Yet, the visitors' captain Mattia Zaccagni failed to convert it, as Napoli keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic stopped his effort.
The Serbian goalie came to the rescue two more times until the break after Cancellieri and Nuno Tavares' strikes, keeping his team's head above water, while Antonio Conte's players were booed by their own fans after an abysmal first-half performance.
Post per segnalare l’ennesimo rigore parato da Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
— Rompipallone.it (@Rompipallone_) April 18, 2026
Questa volta la vittima è stata Mattia Zaccagni.
Ormai non fa più neanche notizia.#milinkovicsavic #napolilazio #zaccagni pic.twitter.com/WZsbegAKGZ
Despite the home supporters' obvious dissatisfaction, the same story continued after the break, as Noslin and Taylor threatened, while the only notable moment in front of the visitors' goal was Frank Anguissa's mild attempt from before the break.
Given the situation, it was no wonder Lazio doubled their lead in the 57th minute following another quick counterattack over the left flank! This time, Tavares' run was crucial, the ball rebounded off Cancellieri, but came to Toma Basic who placed the rebound behind Milinkovic-Savic's back.
Following the Eagles' second goal, they deliberately allowed Napoli to take control of the match and attack. However, Conte's crew was way too lackluster and uninspired that it couldn't even threaten, let alone reduce the gap.
It was Napoli's arguably worst performance in the league this season and a completely deserved defeat. On the other hand, Lazio made a fantastic introduction to the return leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Atalanta scheduled for next Wednesday in Bergamo. First leg in Rome played a month and a half ago, ended in a 2-2 draw.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 33
Friday
Sassuolo - Como 2-1 (2-1)
/Volpato 42, Nzola 44 - Paz 45+2/
Inter - Cagliari 3-0 (0-0)
/Thuram 52, Barella 56, Zielinski 90+2/
Saturday
Udinese - Parma 0-1 (0-0)
/Elphege 51/
Napoli - Lazio 0-2 (0-1)
/Cancellieri 6, Basic 57/
21.45: (2.55) Roma (3.25) Atalanta (2.85)
Sunday
13.30: (2.90) Cremonese (3.15) Torino (2.55)
16.00: (6.25) Verona (3.70) Milan (1.60)
19.00: (3.20) Pisa (3.20) Genoa (2.35)
21.45: (1.50) Juventus (4.20) Bologna (6.75)
Monday
21.45: (3.40) Lecce (3.30) Fiorentina (2.20)
***odds are subject to change***