Genoa 2-3 Napoli: Højlund scores the winning goal, Jesus gets a red card

Napoli's hopes of retaining their Serie A title received a dramatic boost as Rasmus Hojlund scored a 95th-minute winner to beat Genoa 3-2.

Match Report

Despite two mistakes from Alessandro Buongiorno, and a late sending off for Juan Jesus, Hojlund scored from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to move Antonio Conte's side within six points of leaders Inter, who play on Sunday.

The centre-back's first costly error came within the opening minute at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, as he failed to deal with a long ball that forced goalkeeper Alex Meret to bring down Vitinha in the box, with Ruslan Malinovskyi scoring from the spot.

Napoli responded with an equaliser in the 20th minute when Rasmus Hojlund reacted quickest to a rebound, and the visitors went ahead 115 seconds later when Scott McTominay found the bottom-left corner from the better part of 35 yards out.

Genoa were then back on level terms when Lorenzo Colombo stole the ball off Buongiorno near the halfway line and raced through on goal before showing great composure to score past Meret.

Napoli's chances of regaining the lead looked to be over when Juan Jesus was shown a second yellow card in the 76th minute for a needless foul on Brooke Norton-Cuffy, but Antonio Vergara drew a foul from Maxwell Cornet, and Hojlund's penalty crept underneath Justin Bijlow.

Data Debrief: Hojlund breaks his duck at a crucial time

Hojlund had failed to score in his first seven Serie A games in 2026, but the Dane scored a brace at the best time possible for Napoli, taking his season tally in the top-flight to eight.

The former Manchester United striker hit the target most often for his side (three), competed in the second-most duels (17 - won seven), and contributed to 1.53 of their 2.37 expected goals (xG).

Genoa, meanwhile, registered 1.32 xG from 12 shots, and Daniele De Rossi's side will certainly feel hard done by in front of their home fans.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Penalty Goal! Genoa 1-0 Napoli

13' Match Event for Genoa vs Napoli

20' GOAL! Genoa 1-1 Napoli (Rasmus Højlund)

22' GOAL! Genoa 1-2 Napoli

46' Match Event for Genoa vs Napoli

57' GOAL! Genoa 2-2 Napoli (Lorenzo Colombo)

77' Red Card! Sent Off

95' Penalty Goal! Genoa 2-3 Napoli (Rasmus Højlund)

Line-ups

Genoa XI: Malinovskiy, A.Martín, Justin Bijlow, Leo Østigård, Johan Vásquez, Morten Frendrup, Mikael Egill Ellertsson, Lorenzo Colombo, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Vitinha, Alessandro Marcandalli

Subs: Nicola Leali, Stefano Sabelli, Cornet, Caleb Ekuban, Daniele Sommariva, Junior Messias, Jean Onana, Patrizio Masini, Sebastian Otoa, Amorim, Nils Zätterström, Jeff Ekhator

Napoli XI: Juan, Spinazzola, Lobotka, Rrahmani, Meret, Elmas, Buongiorno, McTominay, Miguel Gutiérrez, Højlund, Antonio Vergara

Subs: Lukaku, Nikita Contini, Vanja Milinković-Savić, M.Olivera, Sam Beukema, Alisson Santos, Giovane, Emmanuele De Chiara, Vincenzo Prisco