Serie A: Como Reach Champions League, Relegate Cremonese in Final Day Drama
A chaotic final day saw Como overcome injuries and red cards to beat Cremonese 4-2, sending their opponents down and booking a Champions League place.
Goals from Jesus Rodriguez, Tasos Douvikas, and Lucas Da Cunha sealed a win for Como as Cremonese went down to Serie B...
Como made history by securing a place in the Champions League after Milan’s collapse at San Siro, a result that also sent Cremonese down to Serie B.
The fight for Champions League qualification and Serie A survival came together on the final matchday, with both sides aware that even a win might not be enough. Como were hit hard by a stomach bug that ruled out Warren Bondo, Martin Payero, Faris Moumbagna, and Mikayil Faye, while Antonio Sanabria, Federico Baschirotto, and Federico Ceccherini missed out through injury. For Como, only star player Nico Paz was available on the bench despite a muscle issue, and Alex Valle and Jayden Addai were also sidelined.
Things got worse for Marco Giampaolo when Youssouf Maleh picked up a muscle injury in the opening minutes, forcing an early substitution.
Assane Diao couldn’t direct his header on target at the back post, but he made amends moments later by racing down the left and delivering a cross for Tasos Douvikas. Douvikas’s shot was saved by Emil Audero, and when Giuseppe Pezzella cleared poorly, the ball fell to Jesus Rodriguez, who opened the scoring for Como.
Como extended their lead after halftime when Jesus Rodriguez turned provider, setting up Tasos Douvikas to finish at the back post.
Cremonese were awarded a penalty shortly after when Jacobo Ramon pushed Jamie Vardy from behind. Federico Bonazzoli stepped up and converted to reduce the deficit.
VAR asked the referee to review Matteo Bianchetti’s high boot as he tried to block Douvikas’s half-volley inside the box, and a penalty was given despite Cremonese’s protests. The decision sparked fury on the Cremonese bench, leading to red cards for Milan Djuric and David Okereke while they were warming up, and for Alberto Grassi for dissent. Lucas Da Cunha then converted the spot-kick.
FULL TIME IN CREMONA pic.twitter.com/TeZmm82xNY
— Como1907 (@Como_1907) May 24, 2026
Da Cunha scored a fourth, catching the goalkeeper off guard with a low, hard finish at the near post when most expected a shot toward the far side.
COMO IS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/R91ELn1uyu
— Como1907 (@Como_1907) May 24, 2026
Como thought they had a fifth when Alvaro Morata assisted Sergi Roberto, but the goal was ruled out for offside. After the final whistle, news came through that Milan had lost at home. Because of the head-to-head record, Juventus’s result no longer mattered, and Como secured a place in the Champions League.
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