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

Key facts

• Cremonese lost 2-1 at home to Lazio on May 4, 2026, at Stadio Giovanni Zini.
• Federico Bonazzoli gave Cremonese a first-half lead, his shot squirming under Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta.
• Gustav Isaksen equalized for Lazio in the second half after a counter-attack started by Nuno Tavares.
• Tijjani Noslin scored the winner in the second minute of stoppage time, curling a right-footed shot into the top corner.
• Cremonese remain third from bottom, four points behind 17th-placed Lecce with three matches left.
• Cremonese have won only one of their last 21 league matches.
• Jamie Vardy returned from a muscle strain as a substitute but failed to make an impact.
• Lazio moved into eighth place, two points above Bologna and Sassuolo.

Late heartbreak for Cremonese

Cremonese's fight for Serie A survival suffered a devastating setback on Monday evening as Lazio struck deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory at Stadio Giovanni Zini. The hosts, who had taken a first-half lead through Federico Bonazzoli, were left four points adrift of safety with only three games remaining. Tijjani Noslin's curling right-footed finish in the 92nd minute completed a second-half turnaround for Lazio, who had earlier equalized through Gustav Isaksen. The result leaves Cremonese in 18th place, four points behind 17th-placed Lecce, who won on Friday night.

Bonazzoli's opener and Motta's error

Cremonese took the lead against the run of play in the first half when Federico Bonazzoli unleashed a sudden snapshot from outside the box. Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta, caught by surprise, allowed the ball to squirm under his body at the base of the near post — a costly howler that gave the hosts hope. Bonazzoli's goal was a rare bright spot for a Cremonese side that has struggled to score at home all season, managing just four league goals at Stadio Zini in 2026. The Lombardy club have not won at home this calendar year.

Isaksen levels after a classic counter

Lazio equalised in the second half with a textbook counter-attack. Nuno Tavares intercepted a Cremonese corner inside his own penalty area and sprinted the length of the pitch, before rolling the ball across for Tijjani Noslin. Noslin then found Gustav Isaksen, who swept the ball home first-time to bring the visitors level. The goal shifted momentum decisively in Lazio's favour, and Cremonese were forced to defend deeper as the half wore on. Coach Marco Giampaolo's side had already been forced into a change when defender Federico Baschirotto went off with a muscular strain in his right leg.

Noslin's winner and Cremonese's desperation

As the match entered stoppage time, Cremonese pushed for a winner of their own. Warren Bondo forced a desperate fingertip save from Motta with a long-range effort, and Adam Marusic bravely blocked the rebound to prevent a tap-in. But within moments, Lazio broke again. Boulaye Dia played a give-and-go with Noslin, who cut inside from the left and curled 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. Cremonese had one final chance when Tommaso Barbieri headed wide from a Giuseppe Pezzella cross, but the referee soon blew the final whistle.

Relegation math and Lazio's cup focus

Cremonese have now won only one of their last 21 league matches, a run that has left them in deep trouble. With three games to play, they trail Lecce by four points, and their goal difference is inferior. Three of their final four fixtures are at home, but they have taken just 13 points from a possible 48 at Stadio Zini this season. For Lazio, the win lifts them to eighth place, two points above Bologna and Sassuolo. The Biancocelesti have one eye on the Coppa Italia final, where they will face Inter Milan. A victory in that match could secure European football for next season, even if they finish outside the league's top seven.

Vardy's return fails to spark revival

Jamie Vardy made his return from a muscle strain that had kept him out for four games, coming on as a substitute in the second half. However, the veteran striker was unable to influence the game, with his only notable moment being a shot that was blocked by Oliver Provstgaard. Cremonese's attacking woes have been compounded by injuries to Faris Moumbagna and the inconsistent form of Bonazzoli, who despite scoring on Monday has struggled for goals this season. The club's tally of four home goals in 2026 is the worst in Serie A.

What lies ahead

Cremonese face a must-win scenario in their remaining matches if they are to avoid an immediate return to Serie B. They have one game in hand on Lecce, but that advantage will count for little if they cannot start winning. Their next match is against a mid-table side, but with morale shattered by Monday's late defeat, the task looks increasingly daunting. Lazio, meanwhile, can now turn their full attention to the Coppa Italia final, where they will seek to salvage a disappointing league campaign with silverware. A win in Rome would also guarantee Europa League football next season, providing a financial boost to a club that has been at odds with its fanbase and under financial strain.

The bottom line

• Cremonese are four points from safety with three games left after losing 2-1 to Lazio, having won only one of their last 21 league matches.
• Tijjani Noslin scored a 92nd-minute winner for Lazio, completing a comeback after Gustav Isaksen had equalized.
• Federico Bonazzoli gave Cremonese the lead, but goalkeeper Edoardo Motta's error was not enough to secure a result.
• Jamie Vardy returned from injury as a substitute but failed to make an impact for the relegation-threatened hosts.
• Lazio climbed to eighth place and now turn their focus to the Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan.