Diego Laxalt gives Genoa late winner to stun Lazio

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:34 am

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Diego Laxalt snatched a last-gasp victory for Genoa as Lazio fell further away from the title race with a 2-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico.

Goran Pandev silenced the home fans after 55 minutes when he finished off a flowing counter-attack, but Simone Inzaghi's men were level moments later through captain Marco Parolo.

Laxalt thought he had put Genoa ahead when he pounced on a Martin Caceres mistake after a long ball from goalkeeper Mattia Perin with eight minutes left, only for the Video Assistant Referee to chalk off the goal for a harsh handball call.

However, the home defence could not stop the Uruguayan from scoring his second Serie A goal of the season in the second minute of stoppage time as he powered home Oscar Hiljemark's right-wing cross.

Lazio pressed from the onset with Luis Alberto testing Perin from long range and Parolo heading wide, while Hiljemark blazed over the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the penalty area in a tepid first half.

Despite the home side's dominance and possession, Biancocelesti fell behind when Stefan de Vrij failed to deal with a Hiljemark pass in the area following a lightning break before former forward Pandev calmly slotted home.

However, Genoa's lead only lasted four minutes as Parolo expertly turned in Caceres' cross but VAR could not deny Laxalt when he rose the highest to head in for the visitors to claim maximum points and leave Lazio 14 points off leaders Napoli.