Napoli 3-3 Roma: Late Balerdi header completes six-goal draw

Match overview

Napoli and Roma shared a breathless 3-3 draw in Serie A, with all six goals arriving in a contest that swung dramatically after the interval. Napoli led 1-0 at half-time, extended their advantage to 2-0 early in the second half, and later restored their lead at 3-2. Roma, however, found a way back twice and earned their point through Leonardo Balerdi’s 89th-minute header.

The final score reflected a match of contrasting statistical profiles. Roma had more of the ball, with 61% possession to Napoli’s 39%, and produced greater attacking volume: 105 attacks, 77 dangerous attacks, 24 shots, 11 corners and 21 key passes. Napoli were highly effective in front of goal, though, registering nine shots on target from 15 attempts and creating four big chances.

Napoli take command

Frank Anguissa gave Napoli the lead in the 28th minute with a right-footed finish. The hosts held that 1-0 advantage through the break, despite Roma’s greater share of possession across the match.

Napoli began the second half with another decisive moment. Scott McTominay headed in Matteo Politano’s assist in the 48th minute to make it 2-0. McTominay later added a second goal in the 83rd minute, this time with a right-footed shot from Mathías Olivera’s assist, putting Napoli 3-2 ahead after Roma had drawn level.

McTominay was named Player of the Match with an 8.81 rating. His two goals gave Napoli a major attacking return in a game where they generated fewer total shots than Roma but put more attempts on target, nine to four.

Roma’s response

Roma’s comeback began in the 69th minute, when Matías Soulé scored with his left foot after an assist from Donyell Malen. Five minutes later, substitute Balerdi levelled the score at 2-2 with another left-footed finish, assisted by Santiago Castro.

Napoli’s 83rd-minute goal appeared to have shifted the match back towards the home side, but Roma continued to press for an answer. Balerdi delivered it in the 89th minute, heading Wesley’s assist into the net to complete both his personal double and Roma’s recovery.

Roma’s output underlined the pressure they sustained: 580 passes at an 86% completion rate, compared with Napoli’s 378 passes and 78% accuracy. They also delivered 30 crosses, eight of them accurate, while Napoli recorded 16 crosses and three accurate deliveries.

Decisive contributions

Balerdi’s impact was particularly striking after entering in the 58th minute. He was booked in the 61st minute, then scored Roma’s second and third goals in the 74th and 89th minutes. Soulé also played a central role in the comeback, scoring Roma’s first goal and receiving an 8.69 rating.

For Napoli, Anguissa opened the scoring and McTominay produced the standout individual display. Politano supplied the assist for McTominay’s first, while Olivera set up his second. Napoli also created four big chances but missed three of them; Roma created two and missed none.

Late discipline

The match featured five yellow cards: one for Napoli and four for Roma. Napoli were also shown a red card in stoppage time, with Massimiliano Allegri listed in the event record at 90+1 for an argument.

Neither side could turn a lead into victory. Napoli will reflect on having been ahead by two goals and then 3-2 late on; Roma will take encouragement from twice fighting back, capped by Balerdi’s late equaliser.