Napoli and Como battled to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Coppa Italia encounter, with Como ultimately prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Coppa Italia clash on February 10, 2026, saw an underdog Como side push Serie A giants Napoli to their absolute limit. Both teams demonstrated resilience through 120 minutes of intense football. This created a memorable cup tie with plenty of drama unfolding on the pitch.
Napoli, a perennial force in Italian football, entered this fixture likely aiming for another deep cup run. They faced a Como side that had steadily risen through the ranks, potentially establishing themselves in Serie A by 2026. This match offered Como a significant test and a chance to make a statement against formidable opponents.
The first half at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona began with a cautious approach from both teams. Napoli sought to impose their authority, patiently building play with controlled possession. Como, however, maintained a compact defensive shape. They looked for swift opportunities to break on the counter-attack.
The deadlock eventually broke in the 39th minute. Como earned a penalty after a foul inside the box. Martin Baturina stepped up to take the spot-kick, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. This gave the visitors a surprising lead just before the half-time whistle.
The intensity of the game was further highlighted in the 44th minute. Como's J. Ramon received a yellow card for a mistimed challenge in midfield. This booking added to the competitive edge of the fixture heading into the break.
At half-time, Napoli found themselves trailing by a single goal, facing an unexpected uphill battle. Managerial adjustments were clearly crucial for the home side. They needed a swift and decisive response to avoid an early Coppa Italia exit. Como, conversely, focused on maintaining their solid defensive organization.
Napoli emerged from the dressing room with renewed purpose and urgency. They wasted no time in finding an equalizer. Just seconds after the restart, in the 46th minute, Antonio Vergara fired a powerful shot into the net. Rasmus Højlund provided the assist, cancelling out Como's lead and electrifying the home crowd.
The game opened up significantly after Napoli's equalizer. Both managers introduced fresh legs through a series of substitutions, aiming to gain a tactical advantage. In the 69th minute, Eljif Elmas of Napoli received a yellow card for a tripping offense, indicating the growing frustration.
Despite late efforts and sustained pressure from both teams, a decisive goal remained elusive through the remainder of normal time. The match moved into extra time, where the battle continued fiercely. With the score still locked at 1-1, a tension-filled penalty shootout became the inevitable decider.
The statistics reflected a closely fought contest. Napoli held 48% possession, recording 3 shots on target from 8 total attempts. Como edged possession with 52%, managing 4 shots on target from their 9 total attempts. Máximo Perrone was a defensive standout for Como, making an impressive 6 tackles.
The penalty shootout delivered an extended period of high drama. Both teams converted their initial spot-kicks with composure. The tension escalated with each subsequent shot. Ultimately, Como triumphed with a narrow 7-6 victory in the shootout. Crucial misses from Napoli's Romelu Lukaku and Stanislav Lobotka proved costly. Marc-Oliver Kempf converted the decisive penalty for Como.
This enthralling Coppa Italia result sees Como advance to the next round, marking a significant and memorable achievement for the club. Napoli will now shift their focus back to their league campaign, undoubtedly reflecting on a disappointing cup exit on their home turf.
