Lecce Edge Sassuolo in Thriller to Stay Above Relegation Zone

Nikola Stulic scored in stoppage time to complete Lecce’s 3-2 comeback win, keeping them one point clear of the relegation zone with one game left.

After Cristian Volpato missed a late chance for Sassuolo, Lecce hit back through Nikola Stulic to win 3-2 and keep their Serie A survival hopes alive...

Lecce scored a dramatic 3-2 win in stoppage time against Sassuolo, a result that keeps them one point above the relegation zone.

The Salentini started the penultimate round of the season just one point ahead of Cremonese following their loss to Juventus. Riccardo Sottil and Medon Berisha did not travel for the match, while Sassuolo were without Sebastian Walukiewicz, Aster Vranckx, Fali Cande, Daniel Boloca, and Edoardo Pieragnolo.

The game started at a frantic pace, with both sides having shots blocked for corners inside the first 90 seconds. Ismael Kone tested the defense at one end and Walid Cheddira did the same at the other.

Lameck Banda beat two players and forced Stefano Turati into a difficult low save. Cheddira later smashed the ball into the roof of the net, but he was clearly offside.

Ismael Kone should have scored when he skied his effort from six yards out after a deflected Domenico Berardi cross. Berardi then hit a volley that Wladimiro Falcone had to save.

Lecce thought they had scored when Ulisses Garcia tried to intercept Lassana Coulibaly. Instead, Garcia accidentally rolled the ball into the path of Walid Cheddira, who finished from 10 yards. Sassuolo appealed for a foul, but both the referee and VAR waved it away.

Sassuolo hit back on the counter after a Lecce corner. Domenico Berardi pulled the ball back to Pedro Felipe, who held off Tiago Gabriel and laid it off for Armand Lauriente. Lauriente swept it in from eight yards.

Sassuolo put the ball in the net through Kristian Thorstvedt in the 28th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Domenico Berardi in the build-up.

Walid Cheddira thought he had completed his hat-trick when he controlled a ball over the top and juggled it for a half-volley. Stefano Turati made a desperate point-blank save to deny him.

M’Bala Nzola missed a clear chance for Sassuolo in the 55th minute, ballooning his shot over from eight yards after a pull-back from Armand Lauriente.

Lecce find a late-winner to claim all three points! 🔥#SassuoloLecce pic.twitter.com/qN1UPEXihg

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 17, 2026

Moments later, Cheddira spun away from three defenders and set up Lameck Banda. Banda’s shot was weak and Stefano Turati parried it away.

Nzola should have scored again on the hour mark. His scuffed, deflected effort on a Domenico Berardi counter-attack bounced off the inside of the far post and back into Wladimiro Falcone’s arms.

Sassuolo hit the woodwork once more through Kristian Thorstvedt. The play continued, and Ulisses Garcia pulled the ball back from the byline for Andrea Pinamonti to finish with a back-heel flick from six yards.

Walid Cheddira is the Panini Player of the Match! 🏆#SassuoloLecce pic.twitter.com/0mEmOhI2g2

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 17, 2026

It was not over yet. Cristian Volpato wasted a golden chance to make it 3-2 for the hosts in stoppage time when he fired over the bar.

That miss proved costly. Moments later, Lecce went forward and Omri Gandelman knocked a ball over the top for Nikola Stulic. Stulic turned Felipe Pedro and fired in from close range. The goal sparked wild celebrations, tension on the touchline, and a red card for a member of the Lecce staff.