Balerdi Brace Denies McTominay Double in Six-Goal Thriller
Napoli thought they had won it through Scott McTominay's fourth goal of the week, but substitute Leonardo Balerdi headed a 90th-minute equaliser as Roma came from behind twice.
Roma stay unbeaten after Balerdi's late double denies Napoli. McTominay scores twice again but Napoli held by Roma in instant classic...
AS Roma preserved their unbeaten start to the Serie A campaign with a dramatic late fightback, as substitute Leonardo Balerdi struck twice to earn a pulsating 3-3 draw away to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
It extends Roma's record to five wins and three draws from their opening eight league matches this season.
The contest lived up to its billing from the first whistle, with both sides trading attacks in an end-to-end opening half.
Bryan Cristante came close to breaking the deadlock when his effort from the edge of the area drifted just wide of the post, before Donyell Malen forced a sharp save from Alex Meret at the other end.
And just moments after that chance, Napoli made their pressure count by taking the lead with a moment of individual brilliance.
Matteo Politano's free-kick was partially cleared by Marten de Roon with a header, but Frank Anguissa reacted brilliantly to meet the loose ball with an acrobatic overhead kick that found the corner the first goal Roma have conceded before half-time in the league this season.
Roma pushed for an immediate response and came close through Mario Hermoso, whose curling effort whistled just past the post.
Moments later, Bryan Cristante went even closer when his flicked header crashed against the crossbar.
Napoli remained a constant threat at the other end, with Pierluigi Gollini producing a superb close-range stop to deny Mathias Olivera.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second half and doubled their lead just three minutes after the restart.
Matteo Politano delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Scott McTominay rose to power home a bullet header adding to the two goals he scored in midweek with an effort too strong for Gollini to keep out.
The former Napoli keeper was then called into action again moments later, denying Politano in a one-on-one situation as the Partenopei looked to put the game beyond reach.
However, Roma have shown time and again they can produce a moment of magic out of nothing, and they pulled one back against the run of play through Matias Soulé, who exchanged a neat one-two with Donyell Malen before curling a beautiful finish into the bottom corner.
Incredibly, the momentum then swung completely in the Giallorossi's favour, and they were level just minutes later when Santiago Castro chested down from a corner for Leonardo Balerdi to lash home the equaliser.
The drama was far from finished, and who else but Scott McTominay to deliver another decisive moment.
Leonardo Spinazzola's drive was pushed away by Pierluigi Gollini, only for the rebound to fall perfectly for the Scotland international, who unleashed an unstoppable long-range effort to reclaim the lead for Napoli his fourth goal in just a week.
What a game! 😮💨 #NapoliRoma https://t.co/VMonr7Hp6W
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 24, 2026
But there was still one last twist to come on a chaotic night in Naples.
With stoppage time looming, Roma struck again to level. Leonardo Balerdi capped a sensational cameo off the bench with his second of the evening, powerfully heading in Wesley Franca's cross to snatch a point.
Max Allegri was sent off for his furious protests at the equaliser, watching his side's four-game winning run at home come to an end. He will be bitterly disappointed to have thrown away the lead twice and failed to see out the game.
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For Gian Piero Gasperini, meanwhile, it was a point to celebrate, as his side showed real character to fight back and keep their title charge firmly on track.
Leonardo Balerdi is the Panini Player of the Match! 🏆 #NapoliRoma https://t.co/RclKE7RUIJ
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 24, 2026
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