Sassuolo 1-2 Genoa: Rossoblu snatch late win as Ostigard strikes at the death

Genoa stunned Sassuolo with a last-gasp winner from Leo Østigård to claim a dramatic 2–1 victory at the Mapei Stadium, after Domenico Berardi had earlier cancelled out Ruslan Malinovskyi’s first-half opener.

The visitors started brighter and took the lead after 18 minutes when Vitinha’s effort was blocked and fell kindly to Malinovskyi, who fired a rocket into the top-right corner from the edge of the area. Sassuolo struggled to impose themselves before the break despite half-chances for Laurienté and Pinamonti, both of whom failed to test Leali in the Genoa goal.

Sassuolo tried to respond through Laurienté and Pinamonti, but the home side’s efforts were either saved by Leali or lacked precision in front of goal.

Fabio Grosso’s side came out stronger after the interval and levelled just two minutes into the second half. A Laurienté corner caused chaos in the Genoa box and Berardi pounced to sweep home from close range for 1–1. The equaliser sparked Sassuolo into life, with Kristian Thorstvedt twice going close and Alieu Fadera adding energy from the bench.

However, Genoa grew back into the contest as the match wore on. Messias and Ekuban both threatened before the visitors found their decisive moment deep into stoppage time. A late ball was swung into the box, and Østigård rose highest to head past Arijanet Murić, sending the travelling fans wild.

It was a cruel end for Sassuolo, who had looked the more likely to grab a winner in the second half but failed to convert their pressure into goals. For Genoa, it was the perfect response after a run of inconsistent results — a gritty away win secured through resilience and opportunism.

Next up, Sassuolo travel to face Torino, while Genoa return home to welcome Atalanta in what promises to be another stern test.