Lecce snatched an astonishing 3-2 victory deep into stoppages to beat Sassuolo and preserve themselves one level away from the relegation zone.
The Salentini had been going into the penultimate spherical of the season after defeat to . and , whereas the Neroverdi had been with out , , Fali Cande, and .
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SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Followers of present their help previous to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on Might 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
It was a frantic begin, as within the opening 90 seconds each side had pictures charged down for corners with at one finish and on the opposite.
dribbled previous two to pressure a difficult low save from , then when Cheddira smashed into the roof of the online, he was in a transparent offside place.
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Ismael Kone ought to’ve scored when shinning over from six yards on the deflected cross, then Berardi’s volley pressured a save.
Lecce had the ball within the web when tried to intercept , however in doing so by chance rolled it into the trail of Cheddira to attain from 10 yards. There have been some appeals for a foul, waved away by the referee and VAR.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Walid Cheddira of US Lecce celebrates scoring his workforce’s first objective through the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on Might 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
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Sassuolo replied with a Berardi counter-attack from a Lecce nook, pulling it again for Pedro Felipe, who shrugged off to put it off for Armand Laurienté, sweeping in from eight yards.
They almost turned it round moments afterward a well-worked free kick routine, Falcone getting all the way down to fingertip the Laurienté angled drive inches extensive.
As a substitute, Lecce restored their benefit when Banda whipped a cross from the left for the well-placed Cheddira twisting header into the far backside nook.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Walid Cheddira of US Lecce scores his workforce’s second objective through the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on Might 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
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Sassuolo had the ball within the web once more with on 28 minutes, but it surely was disallowed as a result of Berardi’s offside within the build-up.
Cheddira thought he’d accomplished his hat-trick when controlling a ball excessive and juggling it for a half-volley, however was denied by a determined Stefano Turati save from point-blank vary.
M’Bala Nzola missed a sitter for Sassuolo on 55 minutes when ballooning over from eight yards on the Laurienté pull-back.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Armand Lauriente of US Sassuolo Calcio scores his workforce’s first objective through the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on Might 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
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Moments later, Cheddira spun away between three to arrange Banda, whose end was too weak and parried by Turati.
Nzola ought to’ve performed higher once more on the hour mark, his scuffed and deflected effort on a Berardi counter-attack bouncing off the within of the far put up and again into Falcone’s grateful arms.
Sassuolo hit the woodwork once more with Thorstvedt, however the transfer continued and Ulisses Garcia pulled again from the byline for a pleasant Pinamonti back-heel flick from six yards.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: of US Sassuolo Calcio scores his workforce’s second objective through the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on Might 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
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It wasn’t over, as a result of wasted a golden alternative to make it 3-2 for the hosts in stoppages when firing over the bar.
It proved very pricey certainly, as a result of moments later Lecce went ahead and knocked down the ball excessive for Nikola Stulic, who turned Felipe Pedro to fireside in from shut vary. It prompted wild celebrations, stress on the touchline and a purple card for a member of the Lecce employees.
Sassuolo 2-3 Lecce
Cheddira 14, 25 (L), Laurienté 20 (S), Pinamonti 82 (S), Stulic 96 (L)