Cremonese's survival hopes dealt crushing blow as Lazio snatch stoppage-time winner

Key facts

• Cremonese lost 2-1 at home to Lazio on May 4, 2026, after leading 1-0 at halftime.
• Federico Bonazzoli gave Cremonese the lead in the first half, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Edoardo Motta.
• Gustav Isaksen equalized for Lazio in the second half following a counter-attack started by Nuno Tavares.
• Tijjani Noslin scored the winner in the 90+2 minute, assisted by Boulaye Dia.
• Cremonese have won only one of their last 21 league matches.
• Cremonese remain 18th, four points behind 17th-placed Lecce with three games left.
• Lazio moved into eighth place, two points above Bologna and Sassuolo.
• Jamie Vardy returned from injury as a substitute but failed to make an impact.

A lead surrendered in stoppage time

Cremonese's fight for Serie A survival suffered a devastating setback on Monday as they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio, conceding the decisive goal two minutes into added time. The defeat leaves the Grigiorossi four points adrift of safety with only three matches remaining, deepening the sense of crisis at Stadio Giovanni Zini. Having taken a first-half lead through Federico Bonazzoli, Cremonese appeared poised to claim a vital victory. But Lazio turned the game around in the second half, with Gustav Isaksen levelling before Tijjani Noslin curled in a stunning winner in the 92nd minute.

Bonazzoli's opener and Motta's error

Cremonese struck first in the 35th minute when Bonazzoli's left-footed shot from outside the box squirmed under Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta at the near post. It was a howler from the 20-year-old shot-stopper, who had been deputizing for the injured Ivan Provedel. The goal came against the run of play, as Lazio had earlier come close through Oliver Provstgaard, whose header from a Mattia Zaccagni free kick flashed inches wide. Cremonese were forced into an early change when defender Federico Baschirotto went off with a muscular strain in his right leg. Despite the setback, the hosts held their lead until halftime, with Motta partially redeeming himself by smothering a later Bonazzoli acrobatic attempt.

Lazio's counter-attacking equalizer

Lazio drew level in the 68th minute with a classic counter-attack. Nuno Tavares intercepted a Cremonese corner inside his own penalty area and sprinted the length of the pitch before rolling the ball to Tijjani Noslin, who then found Gustav Isaksen sweeping in first-time from close range. The goal shifted momentum firmly in Lazio's favour. Cremonese had chances to regain the lead. Bonazzoli failed to capitalize on another Motta error when the goalkeeper misplaced a pass from the back, and substitute Jamie Vardy saw a strike blocked by Provstgaard. Warren Bondo forced a fingertip save from Motta in the 90th minute, with Adam Marusic bravely blocking the rebound to prevent a tap-in.

Noslin's stoppage-time winner

Just as Cremonese seemed set to hold on for a point, Lazio struck in the second minute of added time. Boulaye Dia played a give-and-go with Noslin, who curled a wonderful right-footed finish into the far top corner from just inside the box. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Lazio players and left Cremonese heartbroken. Lazio had earlier introduced Nicolò Rovella for his first appearance since suffering a fractured clavicle on February 21. The visitors also had to contend with injuries to Adam Marusic, who required treatment in stoppage time, but they held on for a crucial three points.

Cremonese's dire relegation battle

Cremonese have now won only one of their last 21 league matches, a run that has left them third from bottom in Serie A. They have 13 points from a possible 48 at home this season and have yet to win at Stadio Zini in 2026. With three games remaining, they trail 17th-placed Lecce by four points, though they hold one game in hand. The Lombardy club's attacking struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players. Jamie Vardy, who returned from a muscle strain as a substitute on Monday, has been beset by fitness issues, while Faris Moumbagna remains sidelined. Coach Marco Giampaolo, who replaced Davide Nicola after the 0-0 draw with Lazio in December, now faces the prospect of immediate relegation back to Serie B.

Lazio's European and cup ambitions

Lazio's victory lifted them into eighth place, two points above Bologna and Sassuolo, but still six points adrift of the European places. The Biancocelesti have one eye on the Coppa Italia final, which they reached after a dramatic penalty shootout win. Lifting the trophy on home turf could salvage a sub-par campaign that has been marked by fan unrest and financial difficulties. Maurizio Sarri's side showed resilience after a disappointing 3-3 draw with Udinese last week, in which they led, trailed, and equalized late. With the cup final approaching, Lazio will hope to build momentum, though they remain without several key players, including Matteo Cancellieri (suspended), Danilo Cataldi, Ivan Provedel, and Samuel Gigot (injured).

What remains for Cremonese

Cremonese's survival hopes now hang by a thread. With three matches left, they must win at least two and hope Lecce falter. Their remaining fixtures include two more home games, but their record at Stadio Zini offers little encouragement. The team's inability to hold a lead and convert chances has been their undoing all season. For Lazio, the win keeps faint European hopes alive and provides a boost ahead of the Coppa Italia final. For Cremonese, the path to safety is narrowing by the week, and Monday's stoppage-time defeat may prove to be the final blow in their battle against relegation.

The bottom line

• Cremonese are four points adrift of safety with three games left after losing 2-1 to Lazio.
• Federico Bonazzoli's first-half goal was cancelled out by Gustav Isaksen and Tijjani Noslin's stoppage-time winner.
• Cremonese have won only one of their last 21 Serie A matches and have not won at home in 2026.
• Lazio moved into eighth place, keeping their slim European hopes alive ahead of the Coppa Italia final.
• Jamie Vardy returned from injury but could not prevent Cremonese's defeat.
• Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta made a costly error for Bonazzoli's goal but redeemed himself with late saves.