Lecce snatched an astonishing 3-2 victory deep into stoppages to beat Sassuolo and keep themselves one point clear of the relegation zone.
The Salentini were just one point clear of Cremonese going into the penultimate round of the season after defeat to Juventus. Riccardo Sottil and Medon Berisha missed the trip, while the Neroverdi were without Sebastian Walukiewicz, Aster Vranckx, Fali Cande, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Fans of US Lecce show their support prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
It was a frantic start, as in the opening 90 seconds both sides had shots charged down for corners with Ismael Kone at one end and Walid Cheddira on the other.
Lameck Banda dribbled past two to force a tricky low save from Stefano Turati, then when Cheddira smashed into the roof of the net, he was in a clear offside position.
Ismael Kone should’ve scored when shinning over from six yards on the deflected Domenico Berardi cross, then Berardi’s volley forced a Wladimiro Falcone save.
Lecce had the ball in the net when Ulisses Garcia tried to intercept Lassana Coulibaly, but in doing so accidentally rolled it into the path of Cheddira to score from 10 yards. There were some appeals for a foul, waved away by the referee and VAR.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Walid Cheddira of US Lecce celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo replied with a Berardi counter-attack from a Lecce corner, pulling it back for Pedro Felipe, who shrugged off Tiago Gabriel to lay it off for Armand Laurienté, sweeping in from eight yards.
They nearly turned it around moments later on a well-worked free kick routine, Falcone getting down to fingertip the Laurienté angled drive inches wide.
Instead, Lecce restored their advantage when Banda whipped a cross from the left for the well-placed Cheddira twisting header into the far bottom corner.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Walid Cheddira of US Lecce scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo had the ball in the net again with Kristian Thorstvedt on 28 minutes, but it was disallowed due to Berardi’s offside in the build-up.
Cheddira thought he’d completed his hat-trick when controlling a ball over the top and juggling it for a half-volley, but was denied by a desperate Stefano Turati save from point-blank range.
M’Bala Nzola missed a sitter for Sassuolo on 55 minutes when ballooning over from eight yards on the Laurienté pull-back.
Moments later, Cheddira spun away between three to set up Banda, whose finish was too weak and parried by Turati.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MAY 17: Armand Lauriente of US Sassuolo Calcio scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and US Lecce at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on May 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Nzola should’ve done better again on the hour mark, his scuffed and deflected effort on a Berardi counter-attack bouncing off the inside of the far post and back into Falcone’s grateful arms.
Sassuolo hit the woodwork again with Thorstvedt, but the move continued and Ulisses Garcia pulled back from the byline for a delightful Pinamonti back-heel flick from six yards.
It wasn’t over, because Cristian Volpato wasted a golden opportunity to make it 3-2 for the hosts in stoppages when firing over the bar.
It proved very costly indeed, because moments later Lecce went forward and Omri Gandelman knocked down the ball over the top for Nikola Stulic, who turned Felipe Pedro to fire in from close range. It prompted wild celebrations, tension on the touchline and a red card for someone on the bench.
Sassuolo 2-3 Lecce
Cheddira 14, 25 (L), Laurienté 20 (S), Pinamonti 82 (S), Stulic 96 (L)
