Sassuolo 2-3 Lecce: Dramatic Last-Minute Win

In the Serie A clash held on May 17, 2026, Lecce secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sassuolo at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore. This win enabled Lecce to maintain a one-point cushion above the relegation zone. The Salentini faced their match having lost to Juventus previously and finding themselves just one point ahead of Cremonese ahead of the second-to-last round of the season.

Missing several key players, Lecce did not feature Riccardo Sottil and Medon Berisha, while Sassuolo was without the services of Sebastian Walukiewicz, Aster Vranckx, Fali Cande, Daniel Boloca, and Edoardo Pieragnolo.

The match started at a fast pace, with both teams sending shots toward goal within the opening 90 seconds. Ismael Kone came close for Lecce, while Walid Cheddira's effort was offside. Lameck Banda forced a low save from Stefano Turati, and Cheddira hit the roof of the net, but the goal did not count due to offsides. Eventually, Lecce found the back of the net when Ulisses Garcia inadvertently assisted Cheddira, who scored from ten yards. Referee and VAR deemed the play legal amidst appeals for a foul.

Sassuolo retaliated swiftly. Following a Lecce corner, Domenico Berardi initiated a counter-attack, setting up Pedro Felipe, who laid the ball off to Armand Laurienté to fire in an equalizer from eight yards. Sassuolo’s attempt to overhaul the game nearly succeeded with a free-kick that was narrowly blocked by the Lecce goalkeeper, Wladimiro Falcone.

Lecce restored their lead when Lameck Banda found Cheddira with a twisting header that went into the far corner. Sassuolo thought they had equalized again through Kristian Thorstvedt, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Cheddira almost completed a hat-trick but was thwarted by a point-blank save from Turati.

In the second half, Sassuolo’s M’Bala Nzola missed a significant chance early on. As the second half progressed, Sassuolo hit the woodwork twice and finally got a goal from a magnificent back-heel flick by Andrea Pinamonti.

With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Lecce made a last-minute attack. Omri Gandelman set up Nikola Stulic, who fired home in stoppage time. His late goal sparked wild celebrations among Lecce supporters and ultimately concluded the match with Lecce winning 3-2.