Como upsets Napoli on penalties, reaches Coppa Italia semi-final

Como have written a remarkable chapter in their history after defeating Napoli on penalties to secure a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.

The dramatic victory at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium ended Napoli’s cup hopes and handed Cesc Fàbregas’ side a famous night to remember.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte, who recently celebrated his 400th career win, was left frustrated by his team’s subdued first-half performance. The hosts struggled to find rhythm or creativity, managing only one notable chance before the break when Stanislav Lobotka’s effort trickled into the hands of Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.

As the half wore on, Como grew in confidence and began to dictate play. After warning efforts from Nico Paz and Máximo Perrone, the visitors were awarded a penalty following a prolonged VAR review, which confirmed Mathias Olivera’s foul on Ivan Smolcic inside the box.

Martin Baturina calmly converted, placing his effort into the bottom-left corner to give Como a deserved lead.

Napoli responded almost immediately after the restart, drawing level just 43 seconds into the second half. A clever flick-on from Rasmus Højlund released Antonio Vergara, who kept his composure to fire past Butez and restore parity.

Como came close to reclaiming the lead near the hour mark when Jayden Addai broke clear, but he was forced wide and denied by Vanja Milinković-Savić from a tight angle. Both sides then tightened defensively, with chances becoming increasingly scarce.

A late strike from Mërgim Vojvoda was tipped over the bar by the Napoli goalkeeper, but neither team could find a decisive goal, sending the quarter-final tie into a penalty shootout.

Como converted their opening two spot-kicks before Romelu Lukaku missed for Napoli. Milinković-Savić kept the hosts alive by saving Perrone’s effort, forcing sudden death. After Marc-Oliver Kempf made it 7-6, Butez emerged as the hero, saving Lobotka’s penalty to seal a historic qualification for the visitors.