Como staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Cagliari 3-1, capitalizing on a costly error from veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and extending their winning streak to six consecutive Serie A matches.
Goals from Maxence Caqueret, Gabriel Strefezza, and Patrick Cutrone sealed the victory, ensuring safety in the top flight for the hosts, while leaving Cagliari still battling to secure their Serie A future.
Despite their survival being mathematically assured, Como showed no signs of slowing down, while Cagliari, stinging from a 2-1 home defeat to Udinese, entered the match still needing crucial points.
Missing from their squad were Yerry Mina and Florinel Coman, while Como had to make do without Assane Diao, Sergi Roberto, and Alberto Dossena, all ruled out for the season.
The game began with intent, as Maxi Perrone tested Elia Caprile with a fierce long-range strike.
From the subsequent corner, Cagliari launched a swift counter, but Nicolas Viola’s shot drifted narrowly wide.
Cagliari found the net first under bizarre circumstances. Michel Adopo’s low, angled effort slipped under Reina at the near post, a glaring blunder from the experienced shot-stopper.
Como came close to levelling moments later. Mergim Vojvoda was inches from meeting a dangerous Marc Kempf cross, and on the ensuing corner, Tommaso Augello produced a heroic double block to deny Tasos Douvikas and then Kempf again.
The Lariani grew into the game, and Caprile had to dive to keep out a Nico Paz volley.
Meanwhile, Roberto Piccoli forced a near-post save from Reina as Cagliari threatened to double their lead.
Como eventually equalised with a moment of real quality. Maxi Perrone lofted a perfectly-weighted ball over the defence for Maxence Caqueret, who lobbed the advancing Caprile with finesse.
Though initially flagged offside, VAR intervention revealed the midfielder had timed his run to perfection.
Momentum swung in Como’s favour, and they took the lead just before the break in dramatic fashion. Gabriel Strefezza cut in from the left and lost his footing as he struck a curling right-foot shot from the edge of the box.
Ironically, the slip added extra swerve to the ball, which arched magnificently into the far top corner.
Cagliari had a golden opportunity to restore parity when Piccoli miscued a close-range header from a Zito Luvumbo delivery. Luvumbo later weaved past Alex Valle but blasted over from a promising position.
Como thought they had extended their lead when Cutrone netted from Nico Paz’s exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass, but the flag went up once more.
However, for the second time in the match, VAR overruled the assistant referee, confirming Augello had played Cutrone onside. The striker coolly slotted past Caprile, marking his 100th appearance for Como with a goal.
Razvan Marin tried to spark a Cagliari comeback, sending a low effort just wide of the post, but the visitors couldn’t claw their way back.
In stoppage time, Nico Paz nearly capped the night with a spectacular fourth, his free kick shaving the outside of the upright.
While Como celebrated another statement victory, Cagliari will need to wait a little longer to secure their top-flight status.
