Cremonese's survival hopes dealt cruel blow as Lazio snatch stoppage-time win

Key facts

• Cremonese lost 2-1 to Lazio at Stadio Giovanni Zini on May 4, 2026, in front of 10,618 spectators.
• Federico Bonazzoli gave Cremonese the lead in the first half with a left-foot shot that squirmed under Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta.
• Gustav Isaksen equalised for Lazio in the second half after a counter-attack initiated by Nuno Tavares.
• Tijjani Noslin scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time, curling a right-foot shot into the top corner after a give-and-go with Boulaye Dia.
• Cremonese have won only one of their last 21 league matches and remain third from bottom, four points behind 17th-placed Lecce.
• Lazio moved into eighth place with the win, six points adrift of the European spots, with the Coppa Italia final still to play.

A tale of two halves at Stadio Zini

Cremonese's fight for Serie A survival suffered a devastating blow on Monday evening as Lazio struck twice in the second half, including a stoppage-time winner, to snatch a 2-1 victory at Stadio Giovanni Zini. The hosts had taken a first-half lead through Federico Bonazzoli, but Gustav Isaksen's equaliser and Tijjani Noslin's dramatic 95th-minute strike left the Grigiorossi four points adrift of safety with only three matches remaining. The result extended Cremonese's miserable run to just one win in their last 21 league outings, a record that has plunged them into the relegation mire. With Lecce, currently in 17th place, holding a four-point advantage, the Lombardy club's hopes of avoiding an immediate return to Serie B now hang by a thread.

Bonazzoli's opener and Motta's error

Cremonese took the lead against the run of play in the first half when Bonazzoli's sudden snapshot from outside the box caught Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta by surprise at the base of the near post. The ball squirmed under the keeper's body, handing the hosts a lifeline they desperately needed. Motta's error was one of several defensive lapses by Lazio, who had already seen Oliver Provstgaard's header from a Mattia Zaccagni free kick flash inches wide. Cremonese were forced into an early change when Federico Baschirotto suffered a muscular strain in his right leg, but they held firm until the break.

Lazio's counter-attacking equaliser

Lazio's equaliser came from a classic counter-attack that began inside their own penalty area. Nuno Tavares intercepted a corner and ran the entire length of the pitch before rolling the ball across for Tijjani Noslin, who then found Gustav Isaksen. The Danish winger swept a first-time shot past Emil Audero to level the scores. The goal sparked a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, with Nicolò Rovella making his first appearance since fracturing his clavicle on February 21. Alessio Romagnoli nodded a corner into the arms of Audero, while Bonazzoli failed to capitalise on another Motta error playing out from the back.

Stoppage-time drama and Noslin's winner

As the match entered stoppage time, Cremonese pushed for a winner. Motta made a desperate fingertip save to deny Warren Bondo's snooker shot in the 90th minute, and Adam Marusic bravely threw himself in the way to prevent a tap-in on the rebound. But it was Lazio who struck moments later. Noslin completed a give-and-go with Boulaye Dia before curling a wonderful right-foot finish into the far top corner from just inside the box. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Lazio players and left Cremonese players slumped on the pitch. The fourth official had announced five minutes of added time, but the goal came after that mark, adding to the hosts' sense of injustice.

Relegation battle intensifies

Cremonese's defeat means they remain third from bottom, four points adrift of safety with three games to play. They have one game in hand on 17th-placed Lecce, who won on Friday night, but their form offers little hope. The Lombardy club have won just one of their last 20 league matches, losing 14 and drawing five during that period. At home, Cremonese have accrued just 13 points from a possible 48 at Stadio Zini this season, and they are yet to win there in 2026. A tally of four home goals tells its own tale, with Jamie Vardy beset by injuries and Bonazzoli continuing to misfire. Coach Marco Giampaolo may need maximum points from the remaining fixtures to keep the club up.

Lazio's cup final focus

For Lazio, the win keeps them in eighth place, six points adrift of Atalanta who occupy the last possible European spot. However, the Biancocelesti have one eye on the Coppa Italia final, where they will face Inter Milan. Lifting silverware on home turf could rescue another sub-par campaign, but the club remains at war with its fans and under financial duress. Maurizio Sarri's side showed signs of improvement since winter turned to spring, and this victory, built on resilience and counter-attacking flair, will boost morale ahead of the cup final. For Cremonese, the focus is purely on survival, but time is running out.

The bottom line

• Cremonese are four points adrift of safety with three games left, having won only one of their last 21 league matches.
• Federico Bonazzoli's first-half goal was cancelled out by Gustav Isaksen's equaliser and Tijjani Noslin's stoppage-time winner.
• Lazio's counter-attacking equaliser came from a run by Nuno Tavares, who intercepted a corner and set up the move.
• Cremonese have not won at home in 2026 and have scored only four goals at Stadio Zini all season.
• Lazio remain in eighth place but have the Coppa Italia final to look forward to, which could secure European football.
• Nicolò Rovella made his first appearance since fracturing his clavicle on February 21, coming on at half-time.