Lazio’s Nine Men Shock Viktoria Plzen with Late Isaksen Thunderbolt to Seize Advantage in Last 16 Clash

In a stunning turn of events, Lazio triumphed over Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 clash, even after being reduced to nine players. Gustav Isaksen delivered a breathtaking 98th-minute goal, making Lazio just the second visiting team to claim victory at the Doosan Arena across 18 matches in this competition.

Having eased past Ferencvaros in the previous round with an impressive second-leg performance at home, Plzen understood the necessity of a strong start against their Italian counterparts.

Miroslav Koubek’s squad believed they had gone ahead when Pavel Sulc executed a superb strike into the far corner, only for VAR to rule it out due to a contentious offside call.

Relieved by that escape, Lazio soon took advantage of Plzen’s discontent, with Alessio Romagnoli converting Tijjani Noslin’s flicked header at the back post for his second goal in the Europa League this season.

The Biancocelesti maintained control as the first half wore on, although clear chances were few and far between as Plzen’s defence stood resolute under pressure. Boulaye Dia had a low shot comfortably saved by Martin Jedlicka, while Isaksen squandered a golden one-on-one chance when his heavy touch allowed Jedlicka to gather the ball.

Seeking to re-enter the match, the hosts surged out of the blocks at the beginning of the second half, and their efforts were rewarded when Lukas Kalvach’s enticing free-kick was adeptly headed in by Rafiu Durosinmi.

Encouraged by that goal, Plzen almost netted a quick second, but Durosinmi’s blazing shot from 12 yards was expertly parried by Ivan Provedel.

As the clock edged into the final half-hour, Koubek’s men continued to press forward in search of a decisive goal, and their aspirations were bolstered in the 77th minute when Nicolo Rovella was sent off for a high boot on Sulc after a lengthy VAR review.

Now with the numerical advantage in the dying stages, Plzen exerted pressure on Lazio, but they struggled to break through.

Even after Lazio received a second red card due to a nasty challenge from Samuel Gigot, Marco Baroni’s side secured a remarkable winning goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time, as Isaksen expertly slotted a stunning finish into the far corner, granting Lazio an unexpected lead going into the return leg in Rome.