02/07/26 03:06:00
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02/07 15:05 CST Hojlund rescues Napoli with dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa in
Serie A
Hojlund rescues Napoli with dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa in Serie A
GENOA, Italy (AP) --- Rasmus Hojlund scored a last-gasp penalty as 10-man
Napoli won 3-2 at Genoa in Serie A on Saturday, keeping pressure on the top two
clubs from Milan.
Hojlund was fortunate Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was unable to keep out his
low shot, despite getting his arm to the ball in the fifth minute of stoppage
time.
The spot kick was awarded after Maxwel Cornet -- who had just gone on as a
substitute -- was adjudged after a VAR check to have kicked Antonio Vergara's
foot after the Napoli midfielder dropped dramatically to the floor.
Hojlund's second goal of the game moved Napoli one point behind AC Milan and
six behind Inter Milan. They both have a game in hand.
"We showed that we're a team that never gives up, even in difficult situations,
in emergencies, and despite being outnumbered, we had the determination to win.
I'm proud of my players' attitude, and I thank them and congratulate them
because the victory was deserved," Napoli coach Antonio Conte said.
His team got off to a bad start with goalkeeper Alex Meret bringing down
Vitinha after a botched back pass from Alessandro Buongiorno just seconds into
the game. A VAR check confirmed the penalty and Ruslan Malinovskyi duly scored
from the spot in the second minute.
Scott McTominay was involved in both goals as Napoli replied with a quickfire
double. Bijlow saved his first effort in the 20th but Hojlund tucked away the
rebound, and McTominay let fly from around 20 meters to make it 2-1 a minute
later.
However, McTominay had to go off at the break with what looked like a muscular
injury, and another mistake from Buongiorno allowed Lorenzo Colombo to score in
the 57th for Genoa.
"Scott has a gluteal problem that he's had since the season started. It gets
inflamed sometimes," Conte said of McTominay. "He would have liked to continue,
but I preferred not for him to take any risks because he's a key player for us."
Napoli center back Juan Jesus was sent off in the 76th after receiving a second
yellow card for pulling back Genoa substitute Caleb Ekuban.
Genoa pushed for a winner but it was the visitors who celebrated after a
dramatic finale.
"The penalty wasn't perfect. I was also lucky, but what matters is that we
won," Hojlund said.
Relegation-threatened Fiorentina faced Torino later.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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