Napoli v Cagliari result - Osimhen fires Napoli into Serie A top four ...

16 Dec 2023

BT Sport

Updated 16/12/2023 at 19:41 GMT

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NAPOLI QUICKFIRE DOUBLE SEES OFF DETERMIND CAGLIARI

Napoli survived a scare against Cagliari to move into the Serie A top four as goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen proved just about enough to see off Ranieri’s gutsy, determined side.

For much of the game it looked like one goal would decide it, and Osimhen certainly hoped so when he fired his side ahead with just 20 minutes to go after Cagliari had made it a street fight at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Cagliari replied just three minutes later though to shockingly draw things level, before Osimhen found Kvaratskhelia three minutes later again, this time for the game’s decisive goal.

Cagliari have been the Serie A’s deadliest side in the final five minutes this season and very nearly struck again when Alberto Dossena fought to win a header at point-blank range late on, but just guided it over the bar.

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Napoli will move up at least one position in the table as Roma and Bologna - both two points below the Azzuri - face off tomorrow while Cagliari could find themselves in the relegation zone by the end of the weekend sat just a point above a bottom three all yet to play.

End of 2nd Half

FULL-TIME: NAPOLI 2-1 CAGLIARI

As some belting tenor opera belts around the Diego Maradona Stadium, the fat lady is singing too. Luvumbo couldn't control one final long ball forwards and after Meret controls the ball for about 30 seconds, the referee blows full-time and Napoli have survived... Just about!

Luvumbo looked like he was hauled down there but doesn't get the free kick and Cagliari can't reclaim the ball for one final attack.

90+2'

Anguissa is the latest to enter the book after a rough tackle on Augello but appears to have come off second-best. That stoppage will have added another couple minutes of injury time too.

Yellow card

A. Zambo Anguissa

Napoli

90'

SIX MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME

Napoli know exactly how Sassuolo felt this time last week. Initially only three minutes were signalled by the fourth official but that's now corrected to six, while predictably Politano is withdrawn.

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88'

Politano's foul created that free kick opportunity but he may not have long to worry about the booking.

Yellow card

M. Politano

Napoli

Cagliari are the deadliest team in Serie A after 85 minutes this season and very very nearly struck again there, Dossena fought to win a header just eight yards out but couldn't quite keep it under the bar. The player of the match is also off.

Off

K. Kvaratskhelia

Napoli

That set-piece came to nothing but Napoli were quickly down the other end, the tireless Kvaratskhelia held the ball up brilliantly before playing it back to Raspadori, who couldn't capitalise.

Mario Rui had his arm around Luvumbo's throat there and concedes a free kick in a dangerous position...

83'

Napoli fans will hope this is a precaution rather than a concern as that's Osimhen's last action of the afternoon and Gianluca Gaetano trots on.

81'

GOAL... DISALLOWED! NAPOLI 2-1 CAGLIARI

Brilliant from Politano creating something out of nothing, Varatskhelia played the ball into Osimhen and though Dossena got there first, he only turned the ball into Politano's path.

The midfielder cut left to enter the penalty area then slammed a low shot back across goal and past Scuffet, but the linesman rightly calls Osimhen offside.

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80'

A nasty collision saw Anguissa stay down while Augello also looked winded, but neither are involved in the substitution - it's one of the Sassuolo heroes coming on for Cagliari.

77'

Osimhen did superbly to create that chance out of nothing, but stayed down in the celebrations and looked set to be replaced.

He wanders back on to continue for now though, we'll keep you posted on whether he continues.

GOAL! NAPOLI 2-1 CAGLIARI (KVARATSKHELIA)

These goals are like London buses! It's hugely deserved for Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen held the ball up superbly in the penalty area while reinforcements arrived then sent a fantastical no-look pass across the box and the Georgian's thunderbolt hammers off the post and in!

Goal

K. Kvaratskhelia

Napoli

72'

GOAL! NAPOLI 1-1 CAGLIARI (PAVOLETTI)

Forget any of that! Luvumbo immediately looked to attack and beat Rrahmani with the ball at his feet before firing in a low cross that Pavoletti just outfought Juan Jesus to reach, and he turns it in from point-blank range!

Luvumbo was actually on before the goal but hasn't had the impact he'd have wanted.

69'

GOAL! NAPOLI 1-0 CAGLIARI (OSIMHEN)

It's been a long time coming but Napoli are ahead!!! He rose highest to meet a cross unchallenged but initially appeared to be thwarted again as it thundered against the post.

This time he gets a twist of fortune though as it bounces onto the prone body of Scuffet and into the net.

66'

Nandez has required treatment a few times today, much to the ire of the home fans, and this time Ranieri calls time on his evening.

Napoli have gone into their shell somewhat in the second half, and their latest chance amounts to a weak cross that causes Scuffet no problems.