Roma 4-2 Cagliari: Mora & Malen seal late Serie A win

Roma left it late once again but found a dramatic late flourish to see off Cagliari 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico and maintain their unbeaten start to the Serie A season.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side fell behind early, recovered to lead at the break, were pegged back in the 81st minute, then produced two goals in three minutes through substitutes Rodrigo Mora and Donyell Malen to secure a hard-earned three points. The victory kept Roma third in the table.

Cagliari, still searching for consistency under their new management, took a shock lead in the 10th minute. Niccolò Pisilli was adjudged to have handled Michel Adopo’s header inside the box after a VAR check, and M’Bala Nzola stepped up to coolly convert the penalty, stroking the ball into the bottom-right corner past Pierluigi Gollini.

Roma’s response was swift and clinical. Five minutes later Nahuel Molina swung in a cross from the left and young wing-back Emanuele Lulli rose highest at the back post to power a header into the top corner for 1-1. Lulli, who had just signed a new deal until 2031, then turned provider. His whipped delivery from the right was met by Pisilli, who side-footed home from close range to put the Giallorossi 2-1 up in the 21st minute.

The home side controlled large periods of the first half but could not extend their advantage before the interval. Cagliari remained dangerous on the counter and continued to ask questions of a Roma defence that has occasionally looked vulnerable this season.

The second half followed a similar pattern until the final 10 minutes. With the Olimpico growing anxious, Cagliari equalised in the 81st minute. Adam Obert drove down the left and squared for Daniel Maldini, who finished low past Gollini to make it 2-2.

Gasperini’s changes proved decisive. Daniele Ghilardi, on for Gianluca Mancini, delivered a precise cross from the right in the 85th minute and Mora, who had entered earlier, met it with a firm header to restore Roma’s lead. Two minutes later the Portuguese forward was involved again, driving to the byline and cutting the ball back. Malen’s first effort was blocked but the Dutch striker reacted quickest to the rebound, stabbing the ball home from close range for 4-2.

The late surge ensured Roma extended their unbeaten league run and kept the pressure on the sides above them. Cagliari, for all their enterprise, remain in the lower half of the table after another frustrating away defeat.

Player of the match
Emanuele Lulli (Roma) — Goal and assist in a lively first-half display that set the tone for the comeback.

Roma: Gollini; Mancini (Ghilardi 82), Ndicka, Koulierakis; Lulli (Rensch 76), Pisilli, de Roon (Castro 56), Molina (Wesley 46); Cristante; Soulé, Castro (Malen 56).
Cagliari: Caprile; Sugawara, … (key scorers Nzola, Maldini).

Goals: Nzola 10′ (pen), Lulli 15′, Pisilli 21′, Maldini 81′, Mora 85′, Malen 87′.