Romagnoli’s Last-Gasp Effort Propels Lazio Past Plzen into Quarter-Finals

Lazio secured a place in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2018 with a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Viktoria Plzen. The Czech side continues to search for their first away win in European knockout matches since 2014.

To keep their European ambitions alive, Plzen needed to achieve their first victory in Italy for 12 years. They nearly made a stunning start when Pavel Sulc cleverly flicked the ball to Lukas Kalvach, whose powerful volley from just inside the area forced a spectacular save from Ivan Provedel just five minutes into the match.

However, Provedel almost found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons mere minutes later, as he inadvertently gifted the ball to Matej Vydra, whose shot grazed the top of the crossbar.

Lazio finally began to exert real pressure on their opponents midway through the first half. A deft turn and shot from Pedro compelled Martin Jedlicka into a full-stretch save to deflect the ball around the post, and shortly after, the keeper was forced to ensure Nuno Tavares’ low drive whistled by just wide.

The lack of significant chances for the home team meant they went into the break without scoring for just the third time in nine matches. Yet, Provedel’s last-gasp save from Lukas Cerv’s clean strike ensured that they remained level at half-time.

However, just seven minutes into the second half, Provedel was powerless to prevent Lazio from relinquishing their lead in the tie.

A sustained spell of pressure from Plzen culminated in Rafiu Durosinmi redirecting Kalvach’s cross to Sulc, who dispatched it into the net, marking his fourth goal of the season in the Europa League.

In reaction, Marco Baroni’s side began to bombard the Plzen penalty area, but aside from a weak shot from Gustav Isaksen that went straight into Jedlicka’s hands, they struggled to carve out clear scoring opportunities.

It wasn’t until the final 15 minutes that the player who had scored the first goal in the first leg once again turned the tie in Lazio’s favour.

Alessio Romagnoli leapt highest to head home Mattia Zaccagni’s corner, striking the base of the post and ensuring the ball crossed the line before the goalkeeper could intervene.

Miroslav Koubek’s side pushed for an equaliser that would have taken the match to extra time, but the critical moment never arrived.

With this exit, Plzen are now left with just two victories in their last 19 Europa League matches away from home, while Lazio advances to face Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals.