Osimhen scores but Napoli, Roma play out 2-2 draw

Victor Osimhen was at the centre of the action as Napoli and Roma played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday. The Nigerian striker scored one goal and was denied several times by Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, with both sides left to rue missed opportunities.

The game burst into life after the break when Roma took the lead through a Paulo Dybala penalty. However, Napoli equalised just five minutes later, thanks to a deflected Mathias Olivera strike. Osimhen then converted a spot-kick of his own to put the hosts ahead before Tammy Abraham’s late header earned Roma a share of the spoils.

With chances aplenty at both ends, the match could have gone either way in the closing stages. Osimhen was twice denied by Svilar, while Lorenzo Pellegrini forced a smart save from Alex Meret in the Napoli goal. The draw ends Roma’s winless away run against Napoli but may prove a bigger blow to the hosts’ fading European hopes.

Sitting seventh in Serie A, Napoli are now five points adrift of the European places with just six games remaining. For Roma, the point keeps them fourth and on course for UCL qualification next season, although several rivals are breathing down their necks.

In a game dominated by VAR interventions and controversial refereeing decisions, both sides will feel they could have taken all three points. Still, a share of the spoils was perhaps a fair result after an open, entertaining contest.