Euro wrap: Udinese hit top spot in Italy after thrilling comeback win

admin admin | 09-17 08:15

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international James Abankwah was an unused substitute as Udinese went top of Serie A after staging a thrilling second-half fightback to beat Parma 3-2.

Parma led 2-0 at the interval following goals from Enrico Del Prato and Ange-Yoan Bonny.

But a Florian Thauvin double – his second goal coming 13 minutes from time after Parma had a player red-carded – following Lorenzo Lucca's header, secured all three points as Udinese moved a point above Napoli.

Abankwah, who joined the club in the summer of 2022 but has yet to feature in any of their four league outings, was part of the Irish Under-21 side held to a 2-2 draw by Latvia last year that put a dent in Euro 2025 qualification hopes.

Parma made a dream start, taking the lead after just two minutes when Del Prato found the target with a right-footed shot.

Udinese had opportunities to draw level before the interval, but Parma struck again after 43 minutes through Bonny.

The visitors went close to halving their deficit during first-half stoppage time, yet Lucca’s effort hit a post, but he made no mistake four minutes after the break, heading home Hassane Kamara’s cross.

Thauvin equalised through a close-range 68th-minute effort, and after Parma’s Mandela Keita was sent off after receiving a second yellow, he struck the winner.

Verona's hopes of moving level on points with Napoli were dashed by a 2-1 defeat against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico.

Boulaye Dia gave Lazio a fifth-minute lead, only for Casper Tengstedt to equalise just two minutes later, but Valentin Castellanos’ shot midway through the half decided the contest.

In La Liga, Rayo Vallecano came from a goal down to beat visitors Osasuna 3-1.

Raul Garcia’s strike gave Osasuna a half-time lead, before Abdul Mumin equalised shortly after the restart.

Romania international Andrei Ratiu’s 66th-minute effort put the home side ahead before Unai Lopez netted in stoppage time.

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